Several methodological problems (particularly the assumed bipolarity of scales, instructions regarding use of the midpoint, and concept-scale interaction) which may contribute to a lack of precision in the semantic differential technique were investigated. Results generally supported the use of the semantic differential. (Author/JKS)

Six studies investigated the use of pictorial material in a group setting to measure the cognitive level of children (age 7 to 11) on eight Piagetian concepts. Children were low to middle socioeconomic status with 60 percent Spanish surnames. Factor analysis and clinical administration supported test validity. (Author/CTM)

Scores on the Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME), designed to reflect parental support of early cognitive and social development, were correlated with elementary school achievement five to nine years later. Results supported the predictive value of the instrument for school achievement among low-income families. (Author/DB)

A university chemistry comprehensive final examination was analyzed to determine the extent to which it reflected the subject matter of the corresponding degree program. Although the various courses seemed adequately represented, the sampling of topics within a course tended to be low. The appropriateness of this form of assessment is discussed.…

Found that the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities factor structure was highly similar for Anglo and Mexican American children. Factors emerging for Anglos and Mexican Americans were consistent with scales constituting the McCarthy Scales. Suggests additional research is needed to increase the generalizability of results for subjects with…

The Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) in Canada and the Dental Admission Test (DAT) in the United States are discussed. A history of the DAT, its composition, underlying concepts, and the problems of validation and guidelines for its uses are presented. A review of the literature is provided. (Author/MLW)

Arguments and prejudices against the use of individually administered intelligence tests are considered and compared with possible values that may be obtained. Cautions about test score interpretation are discussed. Implications of abolishing intelligence testing are considered and recommendations for effective testing policies are presented. (CTM)

This study examined (1) the predictive validity of the Differential Aptitude Tests (DAT) relative to the engineering, mathematics, and science grades and cumulative grade point averages of high school seniors in engineering; and (2) the differential validity of the eight DAT scales in comparing high and low achievers. (Autor/BW)

A study on the validity of admissions predictions done at the University of Kansas is reported. The results show that interjudge reliability was low, predictions captured small proportions of total variance, and year-to-year variability was apparent. Suggestions for research include the study of faculty as admissions decision makers. (Author/MLW)

Although many parents remain unfamiliar with the testing programs offered in their children's schools, recent surveys show that parent groups are becoming increasingly interested in the critical issues surrounding testing. Parents should assume responsiblity for monitoring the progress of their children and learn the facts about standardized…

Student ratings of teaching are suggested as useful for: (1) improving teaching, (2) providing data relevant to judgment about teaching effectiveness, (3) aiding student choice of course and instructor, and (4) stimulating student thoughts about education. Student ratings should not be used as the single measure of teaching. (MLW)

Investigates ego development in 32 lower-class and lower-middle class Black students at the sixth and twelfth grade levels. Ego development was measured by the Washington University Sentence Completion Test (WU-SCT). (Author/SS)

Two tests of cognitive development, the Cartoon Conservation Scales, Levels I and II, were designed to measure Piagetian stage-related constructs for children of different age groups. The tests were factor analyzed within age levels and were also analyzed using scalogram and tabular methods to test sequential hypotheses. (Author/CTM)

Reports that the Estes Attitude Scale suffers from the influence of cultural biases that make it inadequate to measure attitude about reading among low-income, Black students in grades three through seven in the rural southern United States. (FL)

The Springs task, an individually administered measure of ability to criticize and control experiments, is described. The task has characteristics similar to Inhelder and Piaget's Bending Rods task; it yields scores on naming variables, controlling variables, and analyzing experiments. (See also RIE: ED 163 092.) (JKS)