A sociometric nominations instrument called Guess Who was administered to 13,045 elementary school children and then subjected to an image analysis. Four factors were extracted--disruptive, bright, dull, and quiet/well-behaved--and related to teacher ratings, self-reports and other measures. (Author/JKS)

The Matrices and Order of Appearance subtests of a Piagetian test battery were administered to a sample of second-grade children on two occasions under two test conditions: standardized testing and a dialogue between child and examiner. Differences for test condition and time of testing were found. (JKS)

A statistical framework for investigating various regression approaches to linear composites is presented in this monograph. The consequences of variance approaches for psychometric theory are discussed. (A six-page bibliography is appended). (JKS)

The development and validation of the Vocational Interest Inventory, a forced choice guidance instrument is described. It assists high school students, whose interests are not well differentiated, in making post-high school educational and vocational decisions. (JKS)

A 20-item scale, based upon the Estes Reading Attitude Scale, was constructed to measure elementary students' attitudes toward reading. Results supported its reliability and validity for third, fourth, and fifth graders. (The scale is included). (JKS)

Presents results of an investigation into the test-retest reliability of the short form of the Modern Language Aptitude Test, with Canadian samples. (AM)

An examination of the test-retest reliability and construct validity of selected types of self-concept measures (nonverbal, verbal, pictorial, and observer-ratings) among a multiethnic population. Five self-concept measures were administered to 218 seventh and eighth-grade pupils from inner-city public schools. (Author)

An increasing number of occupational and educational planning aids are relying on self-estimates of aptitudes rather than objective measures of abilities. A preliminary examination of the accuracy of self-estimated aptitudes with high school seniors (N=74) suggests unsubstantiated self-estimates may lead to decisions based on unrealistic…

Evaluates the reliability, concurrent validity, and comparative predictive validity of political sophistication in comparison to those of exposure, attention, and civics knowledge. Suggests that political sophisticates do not simply consume more news but process it differently than their less-sophisticated counterparts. (SR)

Questions raised frequently by college and university faculty about use of portfolios to document effective teaching are answered. The questions address such issues as how the portfolio is organized, what it should reflect, how and by whom it is used, preparation time, the mentor's role, reliability, subjectivity, maintaining the portfolio's…

Greek parents (N=320) were given the Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory and results were compared with American scores. Internal consistency reliability was high for four scales (abuse, distress, rigidity, and inconsistency). The Greek and American versions had similar factorial structures. Comparison found that Greek scores were significantly…

Reviews problems with the current movement to use national standards and performance assessment to reform education and the impact of the standards on students with disabilities. The characteristics of standards, as they are currently being employed, are discussed, along with issues related to measurement, reliability, and validity. (Author/CR)

Analysis of the content of and student responses to college course evaluations suggests that, in general, students are seeking entertainment, comfort, high grades, and less work and are hostile to the necessary routines and rigors of higher education. The commonly used numerical evaluation form is not only unreliable and invalid, it is an…

Reviews recent advances in early childhood assessment and evaluation. Discusses several well-known assessment devices for screening and intelligence testing and provides information regarding their use, reliability, and validity. Tests discussed include the Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning-Revised, Early Screening Profiles,…

A new instrument, the Attitude toward Educational Measurement Inventory, was completed by 331 undergraduate education majors. Results show high internal consistency reliability for the subscales and moderate stability reliability. Interscale correlations indicate that the three scales represent related, but distinct, aspects of student's attitudes…