Design, nationwide standardization, and validation of the Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents are presented, using a norm sample of 1,400 5- through 17-year-olds, with an additional 1,418 in supplementary samples. Eight reliable and distinct syndromes are recognized, six of which are generalizable across age, gender, and ethnicity. (SLD)

It is widely claimed that public schools do not prepare students for academic success or for success in the workplace and that public investment in nonpublic schooling would remedy these problems. These conclusions are analyzed with reference to international studies of student achievement, and their validity is challenged. (SLD)

Empirical validation of the first-order and higher-order factor structures of the structure-of-intellect (SOI) model was provided by reanalysis of a database of 39 measures administered to 178 Coast Guard Cadets. Results suggest that SOI could be reconceptualized as a pyramid-like hierarchical theory of intelligence. (SLD)

The development of the Children's Attitudes Toward the Environment Scale--Preschool Version is reported. Construct validity of the scale was suggested by the pattern of relationships found between child and parent measures. Children's attitudes were not correlated with verbal ability, but with the degree to which children participated in…

Discusses the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as a possible admission barrier for women returning to graduate school, including data from an informal survey of ten universities in the southeastern United States. The validity of the exams for this population is examined, and alternatives are suggested for identifying older adult women who would…

Examines the use of portfolio assessment in a distance education program for research information skills at the University of South Africa. Discusses the assessment of information literacy and online searching skills; portfolio assessment criteria; student attitudes; validity and reliability of portfolio assessment; and problems. (LRW)

Presents a methodology developed by Vallerand (1989) in the psychological field that translates and validates questionnaires and inventories developed for specific cultures. This cross- cultural technique ensures that the instrument will provide data that are valid and reliable in the target population. Seven necessary steps are defined, and…

Examined teachers' interpersonal behavior and its association with affective and cognitive outcomes among 1,512 elementary mathematics students in Singapore. Validated a widely applicable and convenient questionnaire to assess teacher interpersonal behavior. Found that different data analysis methods yielded consistent associations between teacher…

Criticizes the use of test-retest correlations, differences between means, and other group effects in studies attempting to evaluate the relative stability of learning styles. Examines the use of the "Learning Style Inventory" and the "Learning Style Questionnaire." Recommends that researchers directly analyze the stability and…

The performance on a cognitive screening test of 37 children (ages 4-6) with mild mental retardation or learning disabilities was compared to their peers. The tasks constituting the initial version of the battery were evaluated in terms of their classification accuracy and yielded a set of five different cognitive tasks. (CR)

Explores the relationship between measurement theory and practice, considering five broad categories of: (1) models, assumptions, and terminology; (2) reliability; (3) validity; (4) scaling; and (5) setting performance standards. It must be recognized that measurement is not an end in itself. (SLD)

A study investigated whether a third-year medical clerkship evaluation system validly predicted students' later performance ratings during internships. Internship ratings of students needing remediation from 1986 to 1993 were compared with those of students voluntarily choosing fourth-year medicine. Results indicate the medicine clerkship…

Evaluates the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in the visual arts, discussing issues such as the formulation of performance expectations and reporting procedures. States that, when exploring the scores, the context within which the arts are taught must be considered. Asserts that educational improvement requires changes in the…

This study compared 4 methods (2 case history and 2 performance-based) used to classify the status of adult subjects in familial studies of developmental language disorders, involving 24 parents of children with developmental language disorders and 24 unrelated adult controls. Classification by case history found fewer affected adults than…

In the United States, college students' ratings of instructors are routinely used to make personnel decisions. However, closer examination of the qualifications of amateur student raters and novice public school teachers who have received training that should enable them to be good raters suggests that neither group is qualified to give reliable…