This manual describes the rationale, use, and validity of the Temperament and Atypical Behavior Scale (TABS), a norm-referenced measure of dysfunctional behavior appropriately used with infants and young children between the ages of 11 and 71 months. TABS is intended to identify children who are developing atypically or are at risk for atypical…

Procedures that have been used for assessing a discrepancy between ability and achievement of students suspected to have a learning disability are examined. Methodological deficiencies and/or unavailability of conclusive validity evidence are cited to support the conclusion that all of the procedures are worthless for screening purposes. (SEW)

The study investigated use of the AML (an 11-item scale designed to identify young children experiencing early school adjustment problems) for detecting Mexican-American, Black, Asian, and Pacific Island Head Start children "at risk" for later adjustment difficulties. All 38 participating teachers and their aides readily accepted the…

Philosophical, technical, and practical considerations in selecting and evaluating educational tests for exceptional children are discussed. The following major technical considerations are addressed: validity, reliability, sensitivity, appropriateness, objectivity, and feasibility. (SEW)

Examines the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among children and adolescents, the pros and cons of cholesterol screening among youth, cholesterol assessments of at-risk youth, and the role of schools in cholesterol education and screening (focusing on comprehensive school health education and services). (SM)

Analysis of data for the NICHD Study of Early Child Care revealed different prediction models for children (n=5,416). Early home environment, later behavior problems, and children's health problems contributed to identification by medical professionals, while early home environment and socioeconomic status contributed to identification based on…

Describes ways in which well-intentioned efforts to protect young children from inappropriate school practices have had the opposite effect. Readiness testing, retention, transition classes, tracking, and increased entrance age are discussed. Alternative strategies are proposed. (BB)

Provides a literature review on the use of entry assessment, citing those who consider assessment tantamount to tracking and those who see it as constructive assistance. Offers examples of two colleges that use assessment to provide remedial and nonremedial students with equal options, and an inducement-based model emphasizing early prevention.…

This article notes that children with developmental difficulties may exhibit qualitatively different behaviors in addition to or instead of developmental delay. It offers a rationale for neurobehavioral assessment and describes a new instrument, Neurobehavioral Indicators of Atypical Development, that is designed to assist in early screening and…

Discusses the structure and results of a university physics entry examination that measures students' expertise with mathematical tools and formal logic operations required for the study of college physics. Indicates that the examination adequately serves incoming students: to evaluate academic potential; to emphasize specific deficiencies; and to…

Several assessment procedures were analyzed to determine their ability to discriminate below-average from above-average readers among 50 first graders. Results indicated that language tests were more successful in classifying reading skills than were sensory-motor and perceptual procedures. Clear cut asymmetrical hemispheric specializations,…

A direct observation procedure was used to evaluate first-grade children identified in kindergarten as at risk for development of conduct disorders based on behavior problem incidence rates of schools, teacher reports of school readiness, and parents' ratings of child behavior. High-risk kindergarten children demonstrated first-grade difficulties…

This article describes the Comprehensive Assessment of Reading Strategies, a six-level diagnostic series for evaluating mastery of 12 reading strategies at each level by students in grades 3 through 8, as well as allowing for their metacognitive self-assessment. Its administration, standardization; reliability, and validity are discussed.…

Proposes a problem-solving process for finding unique solutions for specific learning problems of medical students, particularly in clinical preceptorships. Suggestions are offered for evaluation of the problem learner, including more emphasis on peer and self-evaluation and insights into teaching and implementing the proposed model, including the…

This study represents the first to assess whether a relationship between manic symptoms and feeding/mealtime behavior problems exists in individuals with ID. Participants were compared across three groups (manic, non-manic psychiatrically impaired, and controls) on the diagnostic assessment for the severely handicapped-revised (DASH-II) and young…