This study deals with the assessment of the unidimensionality of a set of items through the procedure developed by W. Stout and others (1991) and implemented in the computer program DIMTEST. This study examines a special feature of DIMTEST: the possibility for the user to assess the unidimensionality of a set of items by specifying a subset…

In July 1994, College of the Canyons (COC) in California conducted several predictive validity studies of the College Board Assessment and Placement Services (APS) Reading Test. COC began using the 35-question objective format test in spring 1993. Fall 1993 test scores were used in determining the ability of the APS Reading Test to predict student…

A study was undertaken at California's College of the Canyons (CoC) to determine whether evidence existed of disproportionate impact in English course placement based on student ethnicity, gender, or age. Data were compiled for all 4,309 students tested between spring 1993 and fall 1995, while the standard for disproportionate impact was taken…

This paper lists five principles to consider that will enable beginning teachers to defend Individualized Education Program (IEP) decisions for students with disabilities in due process hearings. The first principle urges teachers to consider placing children with disabilities in regular education with supplemental aids and services when making…

Developed by the Assessment/Advisement Center (AAC) at Missouri's Crowder College (CC), this handbook is designed as a model for other community college testing and advisement centers in establishing assessment policies and practices. First, an introduction is provided, describing changes in the role of assessment since the advent of on-line…

This Congressional hearing on the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was held to define the necessary elements and supports that must be in place in order to make inclusion work successfully for students with disabilities, parents, and teachers. It contains statements and supplemental materials from: (1)…

A study was conducted at Antelope Valley College in California to explore the use of multiple measures in placement recommendations by examining variables potentially associated with success in writing, reading, and math courses. The study sample was all students who were assessed and enrolled in reading and writing courses in fall 1990, spring…

This report summarizes the status of students (ages 5 to 15) with disabilities placed in either special schools or ordinary schools in England local education authorities (LEAs) for the years 1988 through 1992. A summary notes some trends, including: a small increase from 1991 to 1992 in special school placements; wide variations in where LEAs…

The test development plan described here is an outgrowth of a 3-year California state project to address the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) placement needs of adult education agencies in the state. The test development plan provides specific directions for the development of operational instruments anchored to the state's standards, and…

Due to the significant over-representation of minority students identified as learning disabled, this study investigated the effects of modifying the discrepancy formula between intelligence and achievement commonly used to identify and place school age students in learning disabled programs. Three modifications were applied to the discrepancy…

This report examines preschools for children with disabilities in Sweden. In Swedish society the roles of the family and the environment are emphasized with the preschool serving as part of a family support system for children with disabilities. The value of a family oriented intervention is stressed. The first section discusses Swedish provision…

The Iowa Behavioral Initiative (IBI) is aimed at improving the capabilities of Iowa schools in meeting the diverse personal, social, and behavioral needs of students with behavioral disorders (BD). This report describes findings from three IBI data gathering activities: (1) historical and current (Spring 1993) statistical data on students with…

The purpose of Project CMYC (Catch Me if You Can) was to develop and test a model for longitudinal study of local (Texas) Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program graduates and their families. The model called for comparison of ECI graduates and families to a group of children with similar disabilities and of comparable age, who had not…

A search for patterns in grade retention rates across grades 1-12 to construct simulation research models is described in this paper. Aggregate data from Shepard and Smith (1989) on grade retention rates from 12 American states for the year 1979-80 and from 11 states for 1985-86 were examined for across-grade patterns, supplemented by Dade County…

Two sets of analyses were done to examine the "holding power" of ninth grade courses. The first looked at the courses taken by high-risk students who were in the ninth grade in 1978-79. The second set of analyses looked at the courses taken by high-risk students from a dropout study who were in the ninth grade in 1979-80. Only three…