South Carolina's Educator Improvement Act provides for a "cradle-to-grave" system of training, certification, employment, and evaluation of teachers. The author fears this type of legislation is the precursor of a nationwide shift in the locus of policy making. (Author/WD)

This study used an early screening approach to determine the risk status of children in five urban schools and to monitor their reading growth over 3 years. It found that students with behavioral risk factors did better than those with academic risk factors and that the "Reading Mastery" curriculum resulted in the best growth in reading fluency.…

A study investigated whether changing the letter composition of the Denckla and Rudel rapid automatized naming (RAN) task influenced task performance and the RAN word identification skill relationships in 383 first graders. Substituting a letter that was visually similar to other letters had the greatest influence on RAN speed and accuracy…

Discusses the techniques used in Japan to assess and monitor the acquisition of auditory skills by hearing-impaired children. Suggests that digits, syllables, and word lists are more suited to adults. Proposes the use of words, sounds, and music familiar to children in combination with instruments based on observation of daily activities in either…

Developed an abbreviated version of a life attitude measure that could be easily administered in a variety of clinical and research settings. Psychometric properties of the short form were robust, and it correlated highly with the original measure. The measure found that boys reported more injury-related behaviors than girls. (RJM)

Describes a reliability and validity study of the placement test used at the University of Surrey, England, to identify students requiring English language support while studying at the university level. The study examines administrative and logistic constraints and assesses the test's usefulness within this context. (21 references) (Author/CK)

To predict an at-risk group of kindergarten students, structured input from 34 parents was obtained, in addition to results of a standardized screening instrument. Results indicated that both parents' input and standardized tests contributed uniquely to the early identification of children at risk for not achieving in school. (Author/JDD)

Contends that the high probability of error in placement decisions based on high school records and standardized test scores delays the academic development of many students placed unnecessarily in mandatory skill development programs. Advocates skills assessment based on current classroom performance. (DMM)

Uses a review of literature to explain the inaccuracy and inappropriateness of routine kindergarten screening for potential first-grade learning problems for purposes of placement in kindergarten or first grade. (Author/BB)

Discusses the ethical aspects of screening and testing for clinical detection of individuals infected with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Careful consideration must be given to individuals' rights, respect for their privacy, and society's obligations to provide needed clinical and social services in translating cautious medical…

Thirty-six children, aged four-five, completed four vocabulary measures: Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, Picture Vocabulary subtest of the Test of Oral Language Development, Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, and Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test. Only moderate correlations were found among these tests, implying that a…

Analyzes early childhood evaluation policies as implemented by state departments of education in the United States. Data were collected from 48 states (2 states declined participation) concerning: (1) kindergarten and school entrance screening, (2) kindergarten exit and first grade entrance testing, and (3) testing in the primary grades. (NH)

Undergraduate grade point average and American College Test subtest scores continue to correlate as well with the new National Teacher Examination (NTE) Core Battery as they did with the old NTE Common Examinations. Subjects were 94 teacher education graduates. Implications for teacher education programs are discussed. (IAH)

This paper emphasizes the importance of testing infants for hearing loss in the newborn nursery and describes the screening program of the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Clinic as a model. In the program, high risk neonates are identified through screening programs by hospital personnel or by community health nurses. (JDD)

A study analyzed scores on placement tests and academic performance of over 1,800 first-year students at an urban public university. Results indicate that basic skills placement tests measured academic preparation more accurately than the American College Testing program and that standardized and local tests showed only moderate reliability,…