Florida's High School Competency Test (HSCT) is a multiple-choice test of the application of basic academic skills to everyday life situations. The test is divided into mathematics and communications sections, with the communications section including skills in reading and writing. Passing the HSCT is a high school graduation requirement. This…

Three eras in the history of examining outcomes of education are described, and a new approach labeled as "assessment" is characterized as a postmodern era of achievement testing. This era is marked by increasing the teacher's authority to evaluate achievement and questioning the relevance of certain psychometric principles of evaluation. (SLD)

In response to reviewer criticisms, reiterates that the Hispanic community must share the blame for low Hispanic IQ scores and become involved in educational strategy development. Discusses bilingual education as a hindrance to Hispanic students, and the need for improved standardized tests with single norms. Contains 27 references. (Author/SV)

Describes an instrument designed to assess the suicide potential of youth (ages 14-18) who are at risk for suicidal behaviors. Two samples were used to examine psychometric properties of the Measure of Adolescent Potential for Suicide (MAPS). Results revealed strong validity (content, criterion, construct) and reliability (internal consistency)…

Investigates the psychometric properties of 10 self-concept scales designed specifically for use in educational settings. Specific information on these scales should enable school counselors to make logical decisions when choosing a self-concept instrument for their clientele. Three tables provide synopses of the scales. (RJM)

Generalizability theory is used to examine the psychometric characteristics of the Listening and Writing Tests developed by American College Testing for its Work Keys program. Results with samples of 50 suggest the desirability of a minimum number of the tests' tape-recorded messages and the use of at least 2 raters. (SLD)

Provides reviews of computerized scoring and interpretive systems for the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2 and MMPI-A): Caldwell Report, the Psychological Assessment Resources MMPI-2 Interpretive System, and the National Computer Systems Programs. Concludes that when used appropriately, such scoring systems enhance a counselor's…

The validity of several criticisms of objective tests is addressed, and the viability of some alternatives to objective testing is discussed. Evidence against multiple-choice tests is not as strong as has been claimed. Authentic assessments may not always be better, and research about new forms of assessment is necessary. (SLD)

Development of new measures of the two dimensions underlying experiential learning theory using content domain described by D. A. Kolb is reported. Responses from 509 and 153 undergraduates and factor analysis establish the instruments' reliability and 2-dimensional structure. Preliminary evidence of validity is also provided. (SLD)

This study examined the relationships among perceived levels of intoxication, blood alcohol levels, and impairment of selected psychomotor skills used in driving. Results reinforced previous findings which correlated perceptions of intoxication and other measures. These findings suggest that alcohol consumption tables, which calculate one's…

Bad intelligence tests seem as inevitable as death and taxes. However, new theories of intelligence are resulting in some promising developments. Thirteen approaches to the measurement of intelligence are described, divided into the following categories: classical psychometric; developmental; culture-sensitive; cognitive; biological; and systems.…

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is evaluated using a unified view of test validity that requires that validity be considered from an approach requiring many sources of corroboration. A review of available literature suggests insufficient evidence to support the tenets and claims about the utility of the MBTI. (SLD)

Psychometric information was obtained on the Longeot test, which measures aspects of formal thinking, from a sample of 884 high school science students in India taking a Hindi version of the test. The test version appears valid for these students and may be used to classify subjects into Piagetian developmental levels. (SLD)

This article describes development and psychometric properties of the Community Living Attitudes Scale, Mental Retardation, a 40-item measure based on the input of self-advocates and focused on contemporary community living philosophies. Tested with 742 individuals, the measure's factor structure was confirmed, and subscales of Empowerment,…

Examined self-esteem among Puerto Rican young adolescents. Found that Self-Perception Profile for Children had adequate reliability for use with 13- to 14-year-old Puerto Ricans living on the mainland. Gender differences in different domains were similar to those among Anglo youth. Psychological acculturation played a more protective role for…