Discusses results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which examined the use of educational technology. Topics include validity and interpretation of results; and what needs to change about how technology is used in education, including adding technology…

The Self Directed Search-Easy and a version back translated from Spanish to English were completed by 145 undergraduates. Back-translation scale scores were a significantly better fit for Holland's model. The model fit the scores of men better than women. (SK)

Developed and validated the Ideal Mentor Scale (IMS), a new measure designed to help graduate students consider the qualities they as individuals most value in a potential mentor. Found that two universal qualities were central to students' definitions of a mentor: communication skills and provision of feedback. Three individual differences…

Discusses the development of an assessment of mouse proficiency for children and describes construction of the assessment, the content of the test, and its content validity. (Contains 26 references.) (JOW)

Presents the psychometric properties of the Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Research Version (YQOL-R) conceptual module. Item and factor analyses confirmed the hypothesized conceptual model derived from previous qualitative research. The scales of the YQOL-R showed acceptable internal consistency, reproducibility, expected associations with other…

Examines the content of the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal exam (1980). Finds the content of this exam defective in a number of areas. Notes that the exam creates confusion and makes basic errors in critical thinking, and therefore, lacks content quality in these areas. Recommends the use of several tests, rather than one. (SG)

Investigates validity of the Suicide Assessment Checklist (SAC) in a sample of 1,969 admissions to a psychiatric emergency crisis center. Supporting construct related validity, total score differences were found in the expected directions as a function of referral reason. Convergent validity was based on observed correlations between selected SAC…

The authors review both definitional and legal issues associated with testing accommodations and validity issues that confront educators who must make decisions about the use and likely effects of testing accommodations, and they summarize the results of 4 experimental studies they have conducted that examine the statistical effects of…

Using 53 disabled children (age 3-7) as subjects, a correlation of .83 was found between the Scales of Independent Behavior-Broad Independence Score and the Revised Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Adaptive Behavior Composite. The most valid subscales were Personal Living Skills, Communication Skills, and Community Living Skills. (Author/JDD)

Evaluated validity of General Behavior Inventory (GBI) in screening outpatients for chronic unipolar and bipolar affective conditions. Administered GBI to 492 patients; selected and administered blind structured diagnostic interviews to 167 patients. Unipolar depressives were followed up 6 months after initial evaluation. GBI exhibited…

Refined item digraph analysis (RIDA) is a way of studying diagnostic and prescriptive testing. It permits assessment of a test item's diagnostic value by examining the extent to which the item has properties of ideal items. RIDA is illustrated with the Orange Juice Test, which assesses the proportionality concept. (TJH)

Used data from 4,039 job incumbents from 9 military jobs to determine degree of validity generalization across major components of performance and degree of validity generalization across jobs within each major performance factor. Major findings were that different predictor equations were needed for each of 5 criterion factors. (Author/NB)

Examined environmental factors in college student development in college freshmen (N=148) who were administered the Student Development Task Inventory-2. Related performance on this instrument to several factors in the college environment: residential living arrangements, educational goals, type of financial aid, and social dating habits. Found…

Provides an approach for selecting and evaluating both group and individually administered standardized tests of reading. Reviews considerations of the quality of test development; test content; test reliability and validity; and concerns of cost and time investment. Presents sample ratings of two common instruments. (RS)

The article outlines the physiological and measurement bases for the development of physical fitness tests, raising questions concerning physiological, psychological, and evaluation issues. (Author/CB)