This methodological report documents the design, development, and psychometric characteristics of the assessment instruments used in the third grade data collection of the ECLS-K. The instruments examined include those developed to measure cognitive and socioemotional development. In addition, issues in analyzing longitudinal measures are…

This paper describes the development of a scale that measures college students' attitudes about community service, based on Schwartz' process model of altruistic helping behavior. The development of such a scale is seen as essential for research, evaluation of interventions, and the prediction of outcomes of community service participation. The…

The psychometric research done by G. Rasch between 1951 and 1959, which is explained and illustrated in this book, takes psychometrics from being purely descriptive to being a science of objective measurement. Individual centered statistics require models in which each individual is characterized separately and from which, given adequate data,…

This videotape contains a series of presentations by Benjamin D. Wright of the University of Chicago about the Rasch model and measurement in testing. The first presentation is excerpts from a workshop held in 1974 for educators from the Portland (Oregon) Public Schools and the Oregon Department of Education. Dr. Wright's lectures were part of a…

This paper discusses appropriate measurement content and instructional strategies for courses in classroom assessment in the areas of grading and communicating assessment results. Classroom teachers need to understand a wider range of assessments than many textbooks cover, and an aspiring teacher's classroom assessment practices need to be…

This study of Law School Admission Test (LSAT) performance by selected subgroups has been conducted to provide some baseline information that can later be referenced in a variety of projects and activities. The study provides a detailed psychometric analysis, by selected gender and ethnic subgroup membership, of LSAT Form OLSS1. This form was…

Past research has shown that adults can report their own skill level on four dimensions of emotional intelligence, using the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS). This study assessed children's ability to self-report on the emotional attention, emotional clarity, and emotional repair dimensions of emotional intelligence, using a modification of the above…

This article provides an historical perspective on current interest in alternative assessment in the United States and identifies critical qualities that good assessment should exemplify. The paper then reviews research results regarding the technical quality and consequences of using this new form of assessment for large-scale accountability…

Two brief scales were proposed to assess effectiveness of teaching in laboratory and seminar/discussion group classes. (Author)

Two studies examined factors influencing the study approach of Australian college freshmen and seniors from a traditional psychometric perspective, supported by student comments. The first found that student interest, grades, and essay examinations encourage serious study; the second, that serious students see courses as encouraging independence…

The extensive program for formative and summative evaluation of medical students at a new medical school, including multidisciplinary planning and a wide range of testing procedures, is described and discussed. The objective is a faculty-wide, integrated, and comprehensive evaluation system developed with the collaboration of medical teachers and…

Examines existing analyses of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and further investigates the psychometric adequacy of the instrument. Proposes a revision with 10 items each measuring masculinity and femininity. (PD)

Revises the concept of verifiability of life events by requiring that they be verified. Presents three design issues which interact with verifiability and event qualification, which may result in threats to their validity. Suggests all three types of objectivity-subjectivity should be considered in designing life event studies. (Author/JAC)

Describes development of a new rating scale for use by teachers. The Prosocial Behaviour Questionnaire is designed for use in the investigation of elementary school children's behavior. A copy of the rating scale is included. (Author/DB)