The chairman of the College Board strongly disagrees with the Nairn report and gives his version of the truth about testing. (Author/MLF)

The effects of taking an attitude pretest on the attitude scores for a posttest were studied. A comparison was also made of the effects of negatively worded pretest questions. Small but statistically significant differences were found. (CTM)

Examines the extent and direction of curriculum bias in standardized reading achievement tests by comparing the relative overlap in the contents of five separate reading achievement tests with the content of seven commercial reading series. (HOD)

A defense of testing is given. The author examines opposition to and criticism of testing, and discusses teaching to the test, effects on curricula, and test bias. (MK)

Investigates possible gender bias in the Slosson Intelligence Test (SIT) in relation to reading skills. Administers the SIT and the Diagnostic Reading Scales (DRS) to 66 subjects age 8.5 to 13.5 years. Indicates the SIT was a statistically significant predictor of DRS subtests that assess oral reading, silent reading, and listening comprehension.…

Potential benefits of using item response theory in test construction are evaluated using the experience and evidence accumulated during nine years of using a three-parameter model in the development of major achievement batteries. Topics addressed include error of measurement, test equating, item bias, and item difficulty. (TJH)

Investigated possible bias of Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) with 76 White and 90 Mexican-American fifth- and sixth-graders. Criterion variable was Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS). Results showed considerable evidence of bias in differential predictive validity, indicating global cognitive score of K-ABC was less…

The interrelationships among halo and leniency rating errors were examined using simulated rating data. As leniency increased, halo decreased when measured by dimension intercorrelations but increased when measured by standard deviations across dimensions. Implications of these results for the use of the various measures are discussed. (SLD)

Draws on examples from college athletics, education, and personal experience to describe racial unfairness both of using scholastic tests where they should not be used and of not using them where they should be used. Suggests that greater consideration be given to reasons for administering or withholding tests and whether such action is…

Whether judges on bias review committees can identify test items that function differently for blacks and whites was studied using items from teacher certification tests with 42 judges from 3 committees. Results indicate that agreement between judges and empirical indices are not more than would be expected by chance. (SLD)

This study evaluated the Bielefeld Developmental Test for Blind Infants and Preschoolers by comparing cognitive performance of blind and sighted children (ages three and four). Results indicated that even this test (with "blind-neutral" items) did not permit a fair comparative assessment, though it did prove suitable for within-group…

Presents examples of test bias and test misuse. Discusses FairTest (National Center for Fair and Open Testing) program areas and initiatives at the elementary, secondary, and higher education levels. Discusses keeping the community informed. (RS)

Schouten and Kirkpatrick's review of evaluations of the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers' predictive validity reveals unacceptably high error rates in target population identification. Miller's response suggests flaws in their argument, Humphry and King-Thomas suggest alternative interpretations, and Schouten and Kirkpatrick respond to their…

Results of basic skills literacy and numeracy tests administered to primary school students in New South Wales showed a large and consistent advantage in favor of students from English-speaking backgrounds. Although there was little evidence found for cultural bias, several test items were unnecessarily complex or unclear. (12 references)…

Discusses conceptual and methodological issues in quantitative research studies in social work where subjects come from a variety of cultural backgrounds but where ethnicity is not the main variable under study. Addresses the following aspects of multicultural research: problem definition, methodology, data collection procedure, data analysis, and…