Examination of the reliability and validity of paper-and-pencil pronunciation tests of English as a second language in Osaka (Japan) showed very low reliability. Correlations with more direct measures of pronunciation showed very low validity of written pronunciation tests. Sample tests are appended. (Author/CB)

The Triple Jump, a procedure for assessing students' problem-based learning, is applied to assessment of inquiry-based learning in a graduate course. Results suggest the need for more research into interrater reliability and other characteristics of the exercise. Some simple strategies for making the instrument cost effective are offered. (MSE)

This study investigated patterns of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) Third Edition subtest scores for 42 gifted children in grades 4-8. Variability from subtest means was highest on Similarities, Comprehension, Coding, and Symbol Search subtests. Significant weaknesses were found on the Block Design subtest, seen as a peak subtest…

Describes a list of attributes of instructional materials based on a review of instructional design literature that was validated and found reliable through a series of studies. Four categories of attributes are presented: (1) instructional design; (2) language, including semantic and syntactic structures; (3) presentation, including layout; and…

The validity of the schizophrenia subscale of the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults (PIMRA) was evaluated with 65 adults having mild to moderate mental retardation as well as either schizophrenia, depression, or no psychopathology. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted, as were interrater reliability analyses.…

A new questionnaire instrument, the Life Satisfaction Index for Adolescents (LSIA), has been developed for adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This article reviews the conceptual basis of the LSIA, its development, and its reliability and validity (established with 15 male adolescents with DMD). (DB)

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provide evidence for the construct validity of the five subscales of a parallel Portuguese language version of the Dimensions of Self-Concept scale Form H. Subjects were 159 female and 236 male Brazilian college students. (SLD)

The diagnostic decision-making standards used by practicing clinicians to determine language impairment were investigated. Results showed significant interrater agreement among the 27 clinicians' decisions and moderate intrarater reliability within clinician's decisions. Most of the clinicians' diagnostic decision-making standards could be modeled…

A discussion of external evaluation of a college or university program or unit looks at two different approaches used in the United States for accreditation purposes--standards of good practice and competency-based learning and review. Methods of maintaining consistency and eliminating bias are examined briefly. (MSE)

Internal consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity coefficients and replicability of the factor structure were studied for previously validated locus of control (LOC) and achievement-need scales administered to 192 graduate students. Results indicated adequate internal consistency for the LOC scale and convergent, but not discriminant,…

A performance-standard setting procedure termed judgmental policy capturing (JPC) and its application are described. A study involving 12 panelists demonstrated the feasibility of the JPC method for setting performance standards for classroom teachers seeking certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. (SLD)

The validity of the Five Dimensional Life Satisfaction Index was evaluated with 48 adults with moderate mental retardation. Results showed reliability of alternate forms and internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and construct validity. (Author/DB)

Describes several projects that integrate the Internet and specific Internet resources into undergraduate teaching and learning. Problems are discussed, including trying to retrieve specific and useful information, questions of reliability and accuracy of information, the need to become more user friendly, and demands on libraries for training and…

An instrument was developed to assess the community functioning of released insanity acquitees using items from previous scales and some original items. Preliminary results with samples from 254 to 1,187 subjects indicate that the developed questionnaire compares favorably in reliability with existing instruments. (SLD)

Discusses the applications of summative rating scales to assess frequency of language learning strategy use, describing the most widely employed strategy scale, the English-as-a-Second-Language/English-as-a-Foreign-Language version of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL). Studies of strategy use frequencies and factor analytic…