This speech deals with the assumptions and approaches underlying educational assessment and suggests alternatives to standardized testing. It is proposed that the assumption that test items can be standardized is at the base of assessment problems; while there are standard mental functions which children develop, there are no standard items that…

THE SIR ALEXANDER MACKENZIE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, AT INUVIK IN THE WESTERN CANADIAN ARCTIC, ACCOMODATED 300 PUPILS DURING THE 1963-64 SCHOOL YEAR. MOST OF THE YOUNGSTERS KNEW NO ENGLISH, HAD NEVER SLEPT ALONE, AND HAD NEVER SEEN RUNNING WATER AT THE TIME OF THEIR FIRST TRIP TO INUVIK. THESE YOUNGSTERS ARE FROM TWO DISTINCT GROUPS--THE KABLOONAMIUT…

THIS REPORT PROVIDES AN EMPIRICAL AND THEORETICAL REVIEW OF HOW THE POOR DIFFER FROM THE REST OF SOCIETY, HOW THESE DIFFERENCES ARISE, AND HOW THEY ARE MAINTAINED. SINCE THE POOR DIFFER FROM THE REST OF THE WORKING CLASS ONLY IN LEVEL OF EDUCATION, OCCUPATION, AND INCOME, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THEIR DIFFERENCES ARE QUANTITATIVE RATHER THAN…

REACTING TO A PAPER WRITTEN BY H. NED SEELYE (SEE "LANGUAGE LEARNING," VOLUME 16, NUMBER 1-2, 1966, PAGES 77-85), THE ARTICLE EXAMINES SOME OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH TESTS THAT WOULD ACCURATELY MEASURE THE ABILITY OF CULTURAL STRANGERS TO ADAPT TO A FOREIGN CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT. IN ORDER TO CLARIFY THE PURPOSES OF SUCH…

A psychoanalyst, a psychiatrist, a psychopathologist, and a biometrician debate the classification of behavior disorders by each presenting one paper and discussing another. Aspects discussed are the historical review of classification of behavior disorders and one current perspective; a cross-cultural approach to psychopathology and its…

The author reviews some of the research which he has conducted on the role of the parent in the language-learning situation. While most of this research has not dealt with English as a second language, it is suggested that the observed phenomenon is as relevant to the ESL program as to any other second-language situation. The author summarizes his…

The author attempts to describe life in contemporary Appalachia on the basis of his service as a minister in the mountain region of the area for thirteen years. Included is an interpretation of the individualism, traditionalism, fatalism, and personal orientation which characterize the mountaineer population of Appalachia, as well as extensive…

This paper describes a cross cultural study of face to face interactions between American and Gusii mothers and their infants. Observations of the Gusii people of Western Kenya suggest that the direct expression of intense affect is de-emphasized through an avoidance of direct face to face interactions. The present study investigated (1) how and…

Major speeches presented at the conference on human and civil rights in education are summarized. Issues discussed at the conference include: the extent to which standardized testing infringes on the rights of students and educators; the existing uses of educational testing in public schools; and ways to eliminate misuses of tests by educators,…

This model was used to investigate cultural factors which influenced the development of a good relationship between neighbors from different ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic housing project in a Northeastern city. Three hundred Chinese, black, white, and hispanic families were studied. The results of the study suggested that the cultural similarity…

A rationale for pluralistic education is presented in this paper. It discusses the meaning of the cultural, racial, and ethnic aspects of pluralism in American group life. The discussion addresses three issues: the persistence of ethnic groups in American society, the shared heritage of American traditions, and the importance of personal and group…

Unlike the past models guiding cross-cultural psychological research, a new paradigm facilitates multiple level investigations by incorporating both culture-specific (nested) and culture-general (crossed) independent variables within its partially-hierarchical framework. Based upon the generalizability analysis, this model generates sequential…

A 6-year followup study was conducted for 36 low birth weight Spanish-American children (3 to 5 years old) who participated in a special intervention program. The program, designed around the Responsive Environment concept, provided educational stimulation. Utilizing teacher interviews, achievement measures, and trend analysis, the study found…

Due to the Federal relocation programs, American Indian migration to urban areas has intensified over the past 20 years. The Indian who moves from the reservation to the city encounters an alien culture and, consequently, experiences immense difficulties in securing employment, housing, health services, and fair, unprejudiced treatment from law…

From an individual's viewpoint, it is argued, culture establishes a meaningful context of social institutions, ecological practices, and personal rules of conduct which provide each group member with a blueprint for social existence. But, behavior is also conditioned by unconscious internalized patterns, which tend to be accepted by everyone as…