The development and validation of the Vocational Interest Inventory, a forced choice guidance instrument is described. It assists high school students, whose interests are not well differentiated, in making post-high school educational and vocational decisions. (JKS)

A 20-item scale, based upon the Estes Reading Attitude Scale, was constructed to measure elementary students' attitudes toward reading. Results supported its reliability and validity for third, fourth, and fifth graders. (The scale is included). (JKS)

Investigates: (1) the ability of the Canadian Occupational Interest Inventory (COII) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS) to discriminate among Grade 12 students; (2) inter-scale correlations of these measures; and (3) relationships between the student groups' interest patterns and external reference points. Findings indicate the scales discriminate…

The growth in the minimum competency testing movement stems not only from a concern with what students are getting from their schooling, but also from a desire to make sure that the public gets a return on its investment in education. (Author/RLV)

The relative importance of different cognitive subprocesses in Bender performance was studied with Black middle-class first graders. Results suggest that the Bender owes much of its clinical validity to loadings across all stages of human information processing. Kagan's hypothesis on conceptual tempo in Bender performance is also analyzed. (SJL)

The predictive validity of WISC-R factor scores was examined with samples from the four sociocultural groups of Anglo, Black, Chicano, and native American Papago. The full scale IQ and verbal comprehension (VC) factor scores were significantly better predictors of achievement as measured by teacher ratings and the Metropolitan Achievement Test.…

Sixteen-year-old EMR children were administered the WAIS and WISC-R in counterbalanced order to determine the comparability of the two assessment instruments. The WAIS was found to yield significantly higher scores. Results suggest differences between the two instruments among children of subnormal intelligence. (Author)

Compares the nonverbal intellectual performance as measured by the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices of Chicano and Anglo third-grade boys. When language status and cultural content of the testing instrument are controlled, mean group differences become negligible. This is a sound intelligence measure for use with Chicano children. (Author)

Presents results of an investigation into the test-retest reliability of the short form of the Modern Language Aptitude Test, with Canadian samples. (AM)

Compares the Bond and Tinker, and the Harris reading expectancy formulas, using 113 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Finds that the use of both formulas is desirable in clinical situations, but that the Harris formula is preferable if gains on standardized tests are the only criteria of success. (RL)

Evaluates the research of Harste and Strickler (AA 525 393) and its rationales. (Author/RK)

An examination of the test-retest reliability and construct validity of selected types of self-concept measures (nonverbal, verbal, pictorial, and observer-ratings) among a multiethnic population. Five self-concept measures were administered to 218 seventh and eighth-grade pupils from inner-city public schools. (Author)

An increasing number of occupational and educational planning aids are relying on self-estimates of aptitudes rather than objective measures of abilities. A preliminary examination of the accuracy of self-estimated aptitudes with high school seniors (N=74) suggests unsubstantiated self-estimates may lead to decisions based on unrealistic…

Evaluates the reliability, concurrent validity, and comparative predictive validity of political sophistication in comparison to those of exposure, attention, and civics knowledge. Suggests that political sophisticates do not simply consume more news but process it differently than their less-sophisticated counterparts. (SR)

Portfolios, demonstrations, exhibitions, displays, and video attestations all challenge traditional test theory, which is focused on individuals in isolation. However, teachers are expected to work collaboratively and resolve problems within a social context. Instead of limiting collaboration when evaluating a teacher's site-based portfolio,…