A study of 1,000 children examined the effectiveness of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales (CTSPC) in measuring parental psychological and physical maltreatment of children, as well as nonviolent modes of discipline. The CTSPC was found to be better suited to measuring child maltreatment than the original Conflict Tactics Scales. (Author/CR)

Data from 196 Irish school children were analyzed and used to develop a shortened version of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales (E. Fennema and J. Sherman, 1976). Internal consistency estimates of the reliability of scores on the whole scale and each of the subscales of the original and short form were favorable. (SLD)

Describes a new instrument to predict dropouts, the Student At-Risk Identification Scale (SARIS). The SARIS consists of two subscales, one from student records and one that is a self-report. Scale construction is described, and narrative data are presented, along with evidence of reliability and validity. Predictive and diagnostic values of the…

To determine the role that physical aspects of corporate adventure training played in the acquisition of trust, 75 employees from a New Zealand computer company were assigned to one of two groups with varying levels of physical activity or to a control group. Trust was enhanced in the two experimental groups but more so in the more active group.…

Examined quality of children's relationships over time. Found that 9-year-olds' perceptions of teacher-student relationships were associated with teachers' ratings and were predicted by the quality of relationships with first teachers. Perceptions of mother-child relationships were consistent with earlier attachment security. Perceptions of…

Demonstrates how Rasch models can be used to study differences in item salience within and across time points, and that even if a test does not fulfill assumptions of the Rasch model, it can be used to obtain information on item functioning across participants and over time. Illustrates method using longitudinal data from Baltimore Prevention…

Responds to Jepsen's (this issue [2000]) commentary on Sampson et al.'s theory-based approach to using readiness assessment to improve career services. Three topics are included: the reliability and utility of using readiness assessment measures; verbal ability and the use of cognitive information-processing theory in practice; and the potential…

Study seeks to develop a valid, reliable measure of lifetime religious and spiritual experience and to assess its value in explaining late-life health. Discusses the development of the Spiritual History Scale, a 23-item four-dimensional, retrospective summary measure of religious and spiritual practices and attributions over the life course.…

Studied the marking characteristics of experienced markers of GCSE role-play to ascertain the extent of variation between the marks they award and to determine whether more intermarker consistency could be obtained with a small increase in time for thought before a particular mark is awarded. Results underlie the importance of reducing the…

Analyzes simulated performance ratings on a six-point scale by two independent raters to account for nonsystematic error in performance ratings. Results suggest that rater agreement or covariance is not always a dependable estimate of score reliability and that the practice of seeking additional raters for adjudication of discrepant ratings is not…

Investigates the general factor and uniqueness characteristics of the individual tests of the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Cognitive Ability-Revised (WJTCA-R). Only 2 of the 19 WJTCA-R tests examined had low general factor loadings, while 2 had low uniqueness. All other tests had medium or high uniqueness. Discusses implications for clinical…

Examines the performance characteristics of 83 school-identified learning-disabled children on the Differential Ability Scales. Sixty percent showed a significant standard score discrepancy between the General Conceptual Ability and at least one achievement test. Implications regarding the educational diagnostic and intervention processes…

A study of student evaluation of college instruction looked at how students weigh various teacher and course attributes. Student enjoyment of the learning process and student learning explained most of the variation in ratings. It was found that students apply weightings consistently across courses and teachers. (Author/MSE)

Concerns about and objections to competency-based assessment in higher education are examined, including superficiality, use of inference, neglect of knowledge and of process, and subjectivity. It is concluded that, although each objection raises an important issue, in each case, a well-designed competency-based assessment system can overcome…

Data from 104 school children were analyzed to determine the psychometric and conceptual soundness of the Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT), devised for children with limited English language proficiency. Examines test validity through construct validity, confirmatory factor analysis, and exploratory factor analysis in comparison with…