A two-year study assessing the stability of 1,184 elementary special education students found 71 percent stayed in special education with the same classification, 12 percent remained with a different classification, and 17 percent were no longer in special education. The original primary classification was the best predictor of reclassification…

This paper summarizes much of the available information concerning the reliability and validity of the Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests). The data suggest that the results are sufficiently reliable for continued use and that the validity evidence generally supports the intended uses of the tests. (Author/LMO)

To provide cross-validation data for the Child Abuse Potential Inventory, classification rates were determined for 220 physical child abusers and matched control subjects. Using all protocols, a discriminant analysis indicated the Abuse scale correctly classified 85.4% of the subjects, with 82.7% of the abusers and 88.2% of the control subjects…

Hypothesized that both major life events and daily hassles would be associated with anxiety and depression symptomatology. While the results partially support the hypothesis, the inconsistent findings suggest methodological flaws in each life stress measure. Reviews these limitations and presents the use of the semi-structured interview as one…

First graders (N=26) completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, McCarthy Scales, and Woodcock-Johnson Scales of Cognitive Ability. Two years later, their academic achievement was determined by Wide Range Achievement Test and teacher ratings. Results suggest that all three intellectual measures are appropriate for predicting…

Argues that the major studies supporting the Principle of Relative Constancy in consumption of mass communication products were statistically defective. Presents updated tests of data suggesting that the principle is actually of doubtful predictive value. (MS)

Administered the Concepts About Print (CAP) test during kindergarten and first grade (N=56). Results showed the CAP to be highly correlated with various tests of school achievement obtained during the second through the fourth grades and to effectively predict those children who would later be retained in school. (JAC)

First-Grade Screening Test scores of 72 kindergarten children were compared with end-of-year kindergarten performance and midyear achievement testing in first grade. Results suggested moderate predictive utility. Strong relationships with concept-learning and direction-following tasks indicated that the test's construct validity needs to be…

Investigated the predictive and construct validity of six experimental measures of career maturity among high school students. Data provide some support for the construct and predictive validity of four of the six career maturity scales. Some technical issues and possible sources of invalidity are discussed, and recommedations are made for future…

The predictive efficiency of Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) with 51 infants from low-income families at-risk for developmental retardation was assessed. At both 6 and 18 months, the discriminant function of the HOME was found to be moderately sensitive in identifying children in the low-IQ group. (Author/CL)

The low predictive validity of infant tests is discussed in light of current issues in developmental psychology. Considers continuity and discontinuity in the development of early cognitive competence, intellectual heterogeneity problems, and individual-environment transactions. Provides suggestions for increasing predictive validity and indicates…

Examined the congruence between conventional cutoff scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and selected diagnostic classifications of the Research Diagnostic Criteria in a sample of 102 elders seeking psychological treatment. Findings supported the utility of the BDI as a screening instrument for identification of clinically depressed…

Tested the validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) with accused murderers (N=96) undergoing pre-trial evaluations. Results indicated four predictors of MMPI elevated scores: low intelligence, history of drug abuse, suspiciousness observed on the ward, and the fact that the accused was a stranger to the victim. (LLL)

Examined the predictive validity of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) in 64 Mexican-American children. All the correlations among the WISC-R factor scores and academic achievement were low. In contrast, significant relationships were observed between IQ scores and achievement measures, suggesting utility of the WISC-R IQs in…

(See also TM 501 087, TM 501 088, TM 501 090.)