Describes the Examination for Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET) required of all Texans seeking certification as principals, supervisors, or superintendents. Discusses certain test controversies (including test development by an out-of-state firm), the quality of administraor training in Texas, test objectives, and the future of ExCET.…

A study of the content validity, concurrent validity, and predictive validity of a residency applicant ranking system found the system not to evaluate candidate criteria important to the faculty. The department adopted a new ranking system using a multimethod-multitrait matrix and based on a new set of desired traits. (MSE)

Answer keys for physician and teacher licensing examinations were studied. The impact of variability on total errors of measurement was examined for answer keys constructed using the aggregate method. Results indicated that, in some cases, scorers contributed to a sizable reduction in measurement error. (Author/GDC)

Recruited 109 college freshmen to evaluate test-retest reliability of videotaped scenario measure and questionnaire designed to assess interpersonal functions. Subjects responded to both measures at two assessment times. Found both measures to have adequate reliability. There were no sex differences, nor were subjects' responses related to measure…

Examines reasons for using essay tests in the direct assessment of writing ability. Reviews the steps in developing a large-scale testing program; e.g., creating a pool of topics or prompts; developing scoring procedures; training raters; field-testing the system; scoring writing samples; assessing reliability; and assessing validity. (DMM)

This article responds to Wineburg's critique of the "Pygmalion" study focusing on the self-fulfilling prophesy. The validity and tenability of the hypothesis are examined in relation to well-known critiques. The conclusion is that there is such a phenomenon and that it is quite applicable to teachers' expectations of students. (VM)

The author accuses Wineburg of using intellectual shortcuts and selective presentations to support the argument against the self-fulfilling prophesy phenomenon. The prophesy does exist and is applicable to schools because it is interrelationships which hold together social systems such as schools. Teachers' beliefs have definite consequences for…

The impact of examiner/examinee familiarity and rapport on psychological test performance is reviewed. Drawing upon research involving hundreds of young handicapped and nonhandicapped children, it was found that certain handicapped children obtain higher scores when tested by familiar examiners. Implications for practice, theory, and personnel…

The effects of independent, interdependent, and dependent group contingencies in increasing spelling performance of two classes of sixth grade students were compared using an alternating treatments design. Results suggest that all three contingencies substantially improving spelling performance on daily tests. (Author/LMO)

Although single-subject research techniques are valuable to counselors, analyzing change by graphs alone is open to major sources of error. Discusses these sources and explores the issues of serial dependency, unreliability of graphs, interjudge disagreement on graphed data, and the use of time-series statistics with relevance to the counselor in…

Compared the reliability and validity of three methods of measuring students' ability to articulate their career values. Cochran's method and idiosyncratic and standardized methods developed in response to problems with the Cochran method. Test-retest reliabilities for the three methods were .33, .66, and .19, respectively. The findings suggest…

Using listening check procedures, only 2 of 21 staff members at a school for the hearing impaired reliably and accurately rated the performance of hearing aids, suggesting that educators of the hearing impaired are inadequately prepared to evaluate hearing aid performance and that a more objective means of assessment is needed. (Author/CB)

Examined the performance of ninth-grade students on the Self-Directed Search during small group administrations monitored by a counselor. Results indicated scoring errors were high in comparison to norms. The percentage of erroneous summary codes was higher while transposition errors were lower, suggesting group administration with a proctor…

This paper assessed the relationships among holistic writing ability, the Test of Standard Written English, and four tests of organizational ability. Findings showed a significant correlation between writing ability and the tests. It was concluded that tests assessing organizational strategies ought to be included in assessments of writing…

Student self-evaluation and peer evaluation are compared with traditional student assessment methods in terms of reliability and the possible effects on learning and personal development, and the results of a program of self- and peer evaluation are reported. (MSE)