The Self-Perception Inventory (SPI) was administered to a group of students in junior high and later when they were in senior high. SPI scores seem to be rather unstable, reflect little change, and have limited usefulness for evaluation purposes. (Author)

A study with Mexican-American children showed the internal consistency reliability coefficients for the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) were high and comparable to those reported in the WRAT manual. A high relationship was found between WRAT and Metropolitan Achievement Test scores. WRAT meets reliability and validity requirements with Mexican…

Social and communicative behavior of 28 preschoolers, some developmentally delayed, was classified under various conditions by four observers. Inter-observer agreements from observations of developmentally delayed and normal children were compared. No significant differences were found. Results are discussed in terms of reliability problems in…

Teachers need valid information to judge the types of programs, instruction, and colleges best suited to students. Teachers appear to support the use of standardized tests to provides some of that information. Abolishing such tests may lead to dependence on more subjective measures, resulting in inequities in placement and selection. (FG)

Explores need for development of validation and certification procedures. Performance measures used for these procedures must come from on-job experiences. Validity of measures depends on similarity of participant's performance to job exercises. Outlines how to develop reliable job performance measures necessary for job certification and…

Assesses the applicability of corrective feedback (CF) testing, which allows multiple attempts to respond to a test item, to the community college classroom. Compares CF testing to single answer testing, especially with regard to reliability, equitability, and effect on student motivation. (DD)

Members of 118 families were administered the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; a cognitive test battery; and tests of visual, auditory, and figure memory. Factor analysis of memory scores resulted in four-factor solution. Significant spouse correlations and significant midparent-midchild regressions were found for some of the memory measures.…

Focuses primarily on summative evaluation of library-use instruction programs, using the development and results of a systematic assessment of such a program at DePauw University. Tabulated statistics and the evaluation instrument are provided. (Author/JD)

The model is designed to be responsive to parent, teacher, and pupil needs in reducing the discrepancy between the problem behavior and what is reasonably appropriate for the classroom setting. Forms for detailed coding of classroom behavior are included. (Author/CP)

Problems with the scope, validity, and accuracy of statistical data on Puerto Ricans have led to difficulties in research on that population. This situation has contributed to the restricted access of Puerto Ricans to government-sponsored programs and to public services, such as education, that are necessary for social equality. (Author/GC)

A comparison of nonverbal with verbal clinical group interventions suggested that some traditional self-report devices show less differentiation between these two interventions than do measures of group cohesion. A strong, replicable manipulation tested these findings, which were consistent with previous research. (Author/BEF)

The mail questionnaire is seen as a risky data- and information-gathering instrument but an effective way to tap constituent attitudes. Knowing when and how to use it is considered crucial in institutional advancement in academe. Goals and objectives, design assumptions, and types of questions and response formats are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Discusses the concept of communicative competence in second language learning and various models for testing this skill. (AM)

Some of the problems and hazards associated with the use of standardized reading test scores in the formation and reformation of ability groups for reading instruction are discussed. (Author)

This article presents reliability and validity evidence on the Anti-Social Activities Attitude Scale. The scale is not intended to predict individual behavior but to assess the moral climate within a population as supportive or restrictive of antisocial acts. The scale itself is included. (SJL)