A study of 233 individuals with severe mental retardation examined the validity of the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (DASH-II) through correlation with the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). DASH-II as a whole was found to have a high degree of convergent validity with the ABC total score. (CR)

Discussion of structural knowledge assessment for large groups focuses on the features of a "KNOT" computer program which uses a network similarity index (NETSIM) to compare novice and expert concept maps. Treatment in three high school physics classes investigated reliability as well as content, construct, concurrent, and predictive…

How a jury of art evaluators can increase the reliability of its judgments was studied with portfolios from 58 art students in Hungary evaluated by 15 art teacher jurors. Results cast doubt on the reliability of juror assessments. Merits of vertical and horizontal scoring approaches are discussed. (SLD)

The alternate-forms reliability of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) (A. Fisher, 1997), where alternate forms means different pairs of AMPS tasks, was studied with 91 people who had performed four AMPS tasks. Results support use of the AMPS activities of daily-living motor and process scales. (SLD)

Describes the Cognitive Constructions Coding System (CCCS) designed to study family members and their descriptions of their difficulties. CCCS codes the context of a Problem Elaboration Episode, a segment of psychotherapy discourse. Discusses four studies that explore the validity and reliability of the CCCS. (MKA)

Developed a measure of conversational experience and comfort, the Speaking Extent and Comfort Scale (SPEACS). Results with 400 undergraduates show that all four SPEACS subscales have good test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Discusses use of the measure in studies of social networks, social experience, and other dimensions of…

Comparison of direct (a survey) and indirect (mock petition drive) attitude measures regarding opening a group home for people with mental retardation in the neighborhood found that the survey was not a very reliable predictor of how people would react when asked whether they agreed or objected to such a group home. (DB)

Describes the development and evaluation of the Choice Questionnaire, an instrument designed to measure the availability of choice to people with intellectual disability. The scale can be administered by interviewing the consumer or may be completed by a knowledgeable proxy. Very satisfactory reliability and validity have been determined.…

A study involving 512 staff serving individuals with mental retardation investigated the validity of the 33-item Staff Stressor Questionnaire (SSQ). The SSQ measures potential stressors, including user challenging behavior, poor user skills, lack of staff support, lack of resources, low-status job, bureaucracy, and work/home conflict. Results show…

Instruments were developed to test the following elements of Cervero's model of continuing professional-education effectiveness in achieving behavior change: motivation, social system, perceptions of the nature of change, and satisfaction with continuing professional education. Four studies and an expert panel confirmed the validity and…

Studied the psychometric characteristics of a developmental assessment in mathematics composed of 19 performance tasks for students in grades K-3. Reports convergent validity coefficients, internal consistency reliability, interrater reliability, and task orderings. (SLD)

TIMSS (Third International Mathematics and Science Study) is the largest, most ambitious study of comparative education ever attempted. Despite the TIMSS Subject Matter Advisory Committee's best efforts, not all test items truly reflect student math and science achievement. Some items have more than one correct response; some are not grounded in…

Discussion of computer literacy and the rapidly changing face of technology focuses on a study that redefined computer literacy to include competencies for using graphical user interfaces for operating systems, hypermedia applications, and the Internet. Describes the development and testing of the Computer Interface Literacy Measure with…

Projective methods were used to explore maternal perception and interpretation of infant's emotional expressions during the third trimester of pregnancy and 3 months postpartum. Results revealed that mothers interpreted infant emotions overwhelmingly in positive terms at both times; findings suggest consistency in maternal interpretation across…

Masters level rehabilitation counseling students (n=57), college students with disabilities (n=62), and small business employers (n=83) were participants in a study that assessed attitudes toward the American Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I. Students with disabilities held the most favorable attitudes, rehabilitation counseling students' attitudes…