A study investigated the validity and reliability of a new instrument for assessing the wellness lifestyles of Upward Bound students. Subjects were 42 students from five high schools using the program. The study examined 14 variables, including total scores, 10 subscales, and three demographic variables (age, race, gender), and concluded that the…

A study investigated the effectiveness of a phenotypic checklist for identifying 110 males with fragile X syndrome and 79 controls, matched for age, level of cognitive development, and social adaptation. Results indicated that those boys who are likely to be diagnosed as having fragile X syndrome can be identified. (Contains references.)…

Describes short-form versions of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs) and their development, summarizes newly available normative data and psychometric properties of the instruments, and discusses research and clinical applications. (Author/VWL)

This study evaluated use of the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence Second Edition (TONI-2) with 258 individuals (ages 4 to 41) with autism. Results indicated that age, verbal ability, and lack of attention deficits were most predictive of TONI-2 scores, whereas attention deficits and a moderate number of autistic symptoms predicted untestability on…

An evaluation was made of the empirical validity of the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (DASH-II) with 51 individuals with severe/profound mental retardation, some of whom were also diagnosed with autism, and controls. The Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder subscale of the DASH-II was internally consistent and just as…

Describes the development and testing of a 39-item scale designed to assess social workers' confidence regarding their ability to perform hospital social work. Instrument was tested with students (n=21) and professional social workers (n=19). Anecdotal evidence suggests that the scale is easy to use, specific, and highly relevant. (RJM)

Examines the comparative validity of a parent-report scale and a self-report scale, both designed to assess behavioral and emotional problems. Results, based on 111 children in regular education classrooms, indicate that parent reports were more sensitive to overt behavioral problems, whereas self-reports were sensitive to mood disturbances and…

The Caregiver-Environment scale was used to assess the caregiver interaction, play materials, and environmental conditions of 25 infant care centers. Results indicate evidence of construct validity when administrators and caregivers were employed as methods of measuring the effectiveness of the infant care facilities using the scale; however,…

The utility of the Test for Severe Impairment was studied with 60 older persons who had Down Syndrome. Construct validity, test-retest reliability, and interrater reliability were established for the full study group and for subgroups based on degree of mental retardation and dementia status. Some possible applications and limitations of the test…

A study investigated the construct validity of the Visual Similes Arousal II, an instrument designed to measure arousal as it relates to affective and cognitive stimuli. Principle-axis factor analyses with oblique rotations were used for 116 younger students (ages 8-9) and 108 older students (ages 10-11). Results confirmed construct validity.…

This study of 174 children meeting criteria for learning disabilities revealed that the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) factors accounted for a large portion of the achievement variance during hierarchical regression analyses. Proposes that the practitioner should refrain from focusing on global scores and…

Explores the criterion-related validity of the Swedish version of the Communicative Development Inventories--Words & Sentences (SECDI-W&S). In two follow-up procedures, SECDI-W&S was used to assess vocabulary and grammar skills in 32 children. Overall results confirm that the criterion-related validity of the SECDI is sound. (Author/VWL)

Created a teaching effectiveness rating instrument for use by students at Rand Afrikaans University. Analyzed the questionnaire's reliability and validity and found it to be a useful instrument for formative teaching assessment. (EV)

Two studies are reported demonstrating the reliability, validity, and clinical utility of the Language Development Survey (LDS) as a screening tool for the identification of expressive language delay in toddlers. The LDS test-retest reliability was .97. The LDS also correlated highly with other measures and the LDS identified at-risk group scored…

A study explored the internal consistency of items in a visual screening instrument developed by Project PAVE: Expectations for Visual Functioning (EVF). The test includes 20 items that evaluate a child's functional use of vision. A pilot test involving 129 teachers indicates the EFV is internally consistent. (Contains three references.) (CR)