Compared the assessments of 18 judges asked to use an array of information to differentiate learning disabled students. Found judges extremely inaccurate and in little agreement with each other. Different judges emphasized different factors. Results cast doubt on the ability of school personnel to identify learning disabilities accurately.…

Investigated the Mathematics Problem Solving (MPS) and Mathematics Concepts (MC) subtests of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills for content and psychometric item bias at grades three, six, and eight. Identified items which favored either males or females. Found no skill classification, item content, or location trends. (Author/JAC)

In two trials, subjects completed the Depression Adjective Checklist as they felt, or were instructed to "fake good,""fake bad," or "fake average." Discussed findings for "fake bad" and "fake good" in terms of ability of an examiner to detect the manipulative set through grossly deviant scores.…

Analyzed published data on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) to ascertain whether the Information and Vocabulary subtests can function as measures of intelligence. Concluded that the addition of more WAIS subtests will not result in any increase in predictive validity and these additional tests, therefore, lack incremental validity.…

Light's retention scale does not meet standards for a psychometric device for schools. Possibly because of low reliability, the total score was not found to have concurrent validity. The scale needs revision in item content to be accepted by teachers. (Author)

The inclusion of a position on standardized testing in the 1980 Democratic Party platform established testing as a political and legislative issue. Testing regulations have been introduced in 20 states and in Congess, involving critics and supporters such as: the National Education Association, Nader's Public Interest Research Groups, and the…

Presents an alternative between open access to test results as recommended by consumer groups and test security as practiced by test producers. The alternative suggested places counselors directly in the center as interpreters who can satisfy client needs for increased feedback while maintaining test integrity. (Author)

Classical item analysis and Rasch latent trait analysis were applied to the responses of a sample of undergraduates to two measures concerning alcoholism. Little difference in terms of practical considerations was found between the methods. (JKS)

Development of the Stereotyped Behavior Scale for adolescents and adults with mental retardation is described. Use with 600 individuals resulted in refinement and a 26-item scale with an internal consistency alpha of 0.88, test-retest reliability of p=0.90, and interrater reliability of p=0.76. (DB)

R. Herrnstein and C. Murray, in "The Bell Curve," stated six propositions concerning a "g" factor of intelligence. These propositions are found to be reasonably well supported in the scientific literature. These conclusions can be reached whether or not one accepts Herrnstein and Murray's claims about the social significance of…

As part of a larger longitudinal study, scores of 239 children (ages 1 to 4) with disabilities on the Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI) were compared with scores on the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement (Revised) 1 to 3 years later. The BDI scores from children at or above age 2 predicted later achievement scores (mean correlation .74).…

This study used the Assessment Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics to evaluate the appropriateness and adequacy of selected standardized tests of mathematics achievement as they pertain to students with disabilities. Problems with content validity included inadequate representation of content domains, inappropriate…

Increasingly neuropsychologists are under pressure, particularly in child custody and personal injury litigation, to justify the validity of the tests upon which their assessments are based. Reviews research on the validity of clinical opinions based on tests and concludes that test scores must be used in conjunction with life history and current…

Reviews four decades of research on test interpretation. No clear evidence favors one interpretation modality over another, though clients seem to prefer individual interpretations. Also examines client and counselor variables that alone and in interaction may affect test interpretations. Discusses issues that merit attention by both researchers…

In the attempts to improve teaching and learning through the use of psychometrics and its underlying science, conditions have been set inadvertently that are unlikely to encourage and support learning and self-evaluation. (IAH)