Addresses applications of the coefficient of variation as a measure of educational inequality or as a means of measuring changes of inequality status. Suggests the Gini coefficient has many advantages over the coefficient of variation since it can be used with the Lorenz curve (Lorenz provides detail Gini omits). (BRR)

A school administrator in 1928 expressed a favorable opinion of standardized intelligence and achievement tests, based on research findings correlating test scores with student achievement. Quotations from his article reveal how little the controversy over tests has changed in the intervening years. (TE)

Findings and research designs used to study university students' evaluations of teaching effectiveness are reviewed. A construct validation approach which recognizes the multidimensionality of both effective teaching and students' evaluations is recommended for further research. (BS)

Notes that, while the test is not recommended for children at the lower and extreme upper levels, it does provide a valid and reliable measure of some of the abilities that may be involved in the reading behaviors of five- and six-year-old children. (FL)

Discusses methods of sampling the best information from instruction/training developers/candidates for professional certification and examines the problems of interpreting that information and making classification decisions. Assessment strategies including criterion-referenced, multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions, and portfolio…

Concludes that the Brigance Screen is a well-organized criterion-referenced test designed to assist in the early identification of individuals who need further testing. (FL)

Reports that reading instructional level scores of a teacher constructed informal reading inventory, the commercially prepared Basic Reading Inventory, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, and students' actual level of placement in books are roughly comparable but that the Wide Range Achievement Test reading subtest places children much higher. (FL)

Reviews literature on children up to age one to determine whether heart rate (HR) is a reliable, stable, and valid measure. Considers factors influencing resting HR and the Law of Initial Values, discusses information about response to stimulation and infant perception and affect obtained by using HR measures, and describes HR use in risk…

The issue of congruence and consistency among multiple team estimates of child functioning was addressed. Multihandicapped children were assessed by an interdisciplinary developmental diagnostic team using several developmental/behavioral scales. Assessments revealed evidence of team congruence in diagnosis. Data analysis indicated consistency…

Provides a general description of the aims of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and focuses on the reasons for the recent declines in verbal and math scores. Also notes the best sorts of preparation--both general academic and specific preparation--for achieving high SAT scores. (JW)

In behavior research using cognitive and affective measures, there is often incongruity between the statistical analysis employed and the intended inference. This paper argues that incorporating items as levels of a random facet via generalizability theory allows the statistical examination of the inferential question in the desired universe of…

The reliabilities of two types of measurement plans were compared across six hypothetical distributions of true scores or abilities. The measurement plans were: (1) fixed-length, where the number of trials for all examinees is set in advance; and (2) trials-to-criterion, where examinees must keep trying until they complete a given number of trials…

Linguistic and statistical analyses of cloze tests as a measure of second language competence revealed qualitative and quantitative differences between the performances of Anglophone immersion and French control groups. The diagnostic limitations of the procedure and the usefulness of the linguistic information derived from it are discussed. (MSE)

The need for and means of evaluating the implementation of educational innovations is demonstrated. Indicated also is what type of information is useful for measuring implementation variables and how to assure that those measures will be credible. (Author/DEP)

A 27-item Quality of School Life scale is presented, which shows reliability and validity across educational levels (elementary, middle and high school) based on 4,266 student survey responses. Concurrent and discriminative validity is demonstrated using measures of academic achievement, participation, personality, family background, and…