This study investigated the predictive value of certain tests in relationship to first grade reading success. The Metropolitan Readiness Test, Naming Letters Test, Light Response Test, and Matching Symbol Test were administered to 70 first grade students during the first two weeks of school. The Teacher's Reading Readiness Rating Scale was filled…

Phase III, the development and testing of experimental programs to reduce the rate of student attrition, of the Northern California Cooperative Research Project (NORCAL) on Student Attrition is reported upon. Phase I of the program was the description and identification of characteristics associated with attrition among Junior College students…

This paper responds to the demand generated among competency-based program participants and administrators for definitions of "competence" and new assessment techniques and instruments for its measurement. Discussion centers on three aspects of assessment: (1) the identification and definition of competencies relevant to life and work…

Tested an empirically based prediction model of school dropout on juvenile delinquents (N=137). Identified four factors yielding a high level of prediction: misbehavior in school, disliking school, the negative influence of peers with respect to dropping out and getting into trouble, and a marginal or weak relationship with parents. (Author/ABB)

Describes a survey of 356 adult students enrolled in university-level courses at the Open Learning Institute which was conducted to assess the predictive validity of Tinto's theoretical model of student dropout. It was found that, overall, the Tinto model appears to be a useful framework for such investigations. (Author/LRW)

A significant number of Black graduate students enrolled at the University of Florida in 1982 had higher grades than White students who had performed better than they on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This suggests that the GRE is insensitive to the factors that affect Blacks' academic performance. (KH)

Ball Aptitude BAttery (BAB) scores, grades, and American College Test (ACT) scores were obtained for over 800 high school seniors. BAB scores adequately predicted academic success in 10 subject areas and on the ACT. The battery seemed valid for career planning for males, females, Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites. (Author/GDC)

This article (1) examines the role of idiographic theory in contemporary personality assessment and behavioral prediction methodology, (2) reviews critically empirical studies designed to evaluate the idiographic theory of individual differences in predictability, and (3) presents new data on conclusions that have been advanced toward an…

Describes using high school chemistry grades along with mathematics scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test to predict college chemistry grades. Discusses rationale for the choice of predictive measures, the effect of teaching assistants, and supplemental study skills workshops on the grade received. (JM)

This study examined the SAT® II: Writing Subject Test as a predictor of writing performance in college English courses. Writing performance was based on eight writing samples submitted as part of regular course work by students in eight colleges. The samples consisted of drafts and final papers submitted in response to four take-home writing…

Multiple regression analysis indicated a significant relationship between course entry attitudes and end-of-course ratings for students reporting precourse expectations prior to entry into the course. Different sets of items from the Course Entry Scale were found to predict end-of-course ratings for different groups of students studied. (Author/PN)

Thirty-four tests measuring verbal ability, academic achievement, reading skills, attitudes, visual perception, spelling, and word decoding skills were compared for their correlational strengths with grade in a required freshman course in composition. The American College Testing Program (ACT) Assessment English subtest yielded the strongest and…

Experimental results indicated that verbal intelligence was the best predictor of childrens' overall performance on a paired-associate learning task. Teachers' ratings provided a surprising degree of predictive efficiency for abstract recall which was redundant with verbal intelligence. (Author/JAC)

The questionable quality of many teachers and related court action are described. It is suggested that teacher competence in subject matter, the English language, and in related areas should be demonstrated before hiring. (MLW)

Contrary to findings of the Educational Testing Service and the College Board, the authors contend that coaching can effectively help raise student scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). They argue that the SAT is not in fact a measure of "aptitude" and that high school grades and achievement tests are better predictors of…