Examines some of the problems in interpreting data from attitude measures when the dimensionality of the instrument and sources of heterogeneity in the population are ignored. Illustrates this point by describing the development of an instrument designed to measure children's attitude toward science-related activities. (TW)

This paper discusses how to maintain the integrity of national nomative information for achievement tests when the test that is administered has been customized to satisfy local needs and is not a test that has been nationally normed. Alternative procedures for item selection and calibration are examined. (Author/LMO)

Describes the development and testing of the Bath County Computer Attitudes Scale (BCCAS), which is designed to measure elementary and secondary school students' attitudes toward computers. Preliminary and revised versions are reviewed, and a analysis of data supports the validity of the BCCAS as a measure of computer attitudes. (Author/LRW)

Explains the convergent and discriminant validity of two tests of science process skills with two tests of formal reasoning ability. Reports test results from elementary education majors and discusses the tests' intercorrelations. Implications related to instruction are analyzed. (ML)

Developed a teacher's rating scale of self-esteem for children. Participants were 231 school children in grades K-7. Used sociometric measures, popularity ranking by teachers, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory to estimate validity. The Self-Esteem Rating Scale for Children (SERSC) included 12 behavioral characteristics rated most…

Evaluated the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) as a tool for understanding children's learning problems. Analyzed the predictive utility of several WISC-R subtest recategorizations with regard to academic achievement for 105 children referred for psychoeducational evaluation because of classroom learning problems. Stepwise…

Admissions criteria used for three classes of occupational therapy students were subjected to statistical analysis. Weighted factors included cumulative, science, and behavioral science grade point average, reading and mental ability test scores, and essay and interview scores. Revised factors eliminated the reading test and subject-specific grade…

Stanford Achievement Test scores of 1,434 elementary-level students already placed in either regular or special education programs were arranged according to four cutoff points: 20th, 15th, 10th, and 5th percentiles. This identification method, setting the cutoff at the 5 percent level, is proposed as a preliminary screening device for special…

Examines misclassification of Native Canadian students' abilities with standardized intelligence test results. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (particularly verbal scale) results often reflect extent of acculturation, not personal capabilities. Paper indicates areas of needed research to find more appropriate ways of assessing…

Aphasic (N=15) and non-brain-damaged adults were administered the Nelson Reading Skills Test (NRST). NRST items requiring complex inferences were more difficult than items requiring simple or no inferences. Passage dependency level was higher compared to other tests, suggesting that the NRST more validly measures aphasics' multiple-sentence…

This article rebuts comments by G. R. Anrig (1987) on the Settlement Agreement that resolved the racial discrimination suit brought by the Golden Rule Insurance Company against the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the Illinois Department of Insurance. (TJH)

A study examined teachers' and parents' ratings of 39 developmentally handicapped (DH) and 9 learning disabled children on the revised Vineland and the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale. Teachers rated children eligible for DH placement more frequently than parents. The adaptive behavior ratings of the two instruments differed significantly. (Author/CB)

Asserts that currently accepted teacher competency tests are not valid and reliable measures of those qualities essential to effective teaching. Presents criteria that should be met by a valid assessment approach and, beyond competency assessment, stresses the need to improve the environment in which teachers function and students attempt to…

The first study investigates the validity of the Preschool Language Assessment Instrument as a diagnostic tool for differenciating the ability of language impaired preschoolers to use language to communicate complex ideas. The second study evaluates the relative effectiveness of two software environments that were expected to enhance children's…

A retrospective study was performed to determine whether graduates of a baccalaureate program in nursing who failed or were within a chance level of failure on the National Council Licensure Examination could have been identified as "risk" students during their undergraduate nursing program from data that are routinely collected.…