The validity of the Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory was tested with a sample of 134 Chilean adults. The scale was able to discriminate between abusing and nonabusing individuals. The items which had the greatest discriminating power were related to feelings of depression, loneliness, anxiety, and family problems. (CR)

Examines the similarities and differences in the methodologies and findings of six projects that investigated the statutory testing of 11-year-old children in England and Wales. Reveals a similarity of results despite a diversity of methods. Reviews the findings in relation to other research and provides suggestions for future research methods.…

Describes a classroom demonstration that uses a video clip of a robbery from the film "Robocop" to illustrate the fallibility of eyewitness testimony. Students view the clip and complete a multiple-choice test concerning the episode. The ubiquitous poor test performance can be used for an interesting and productive discussion. (MJP)

A study involving 105 sixth-graders examined three aspects of technical adequacy with respect to two general outcome measures in mathematics: the effects of aggregating scores and correcting for random guessing on reliability and validity and the extent to which the measures were sensitive to changes in performance. (Contains references.)…

This article provides an overview of strength-based assessment of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders and discusses the development and psychometric characteristics of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS). The BERS is a norm-referenced, standardized test that assesses the strengths of children and…

Examined factor structure of the emotional Autonomy Scale (EAS) in 3 samples of adolescents, with each sample consisting of 3 racial/ethnic groups. Found that the EAS exhibited poor construct validity and behaved quite differently for different grade and ethnic groups. Suggested that the most credible solution may be to reexamine the conceptual…

The stability of a 2-factor model proposed for the Gibb Experimental Test of Testwiseness was studied with 173 undergraduates. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicate that data fit the two-factor model and a simpler one-factor model. The Gibb test could be characterized as tapping a general testwiseness proficiency. (SLD)

This article cautions against complacency in "subjective" assessment, arguing that even tests designed to reflect the development of learner-centered, interactive and communicative approaches to teaching English may have cultural bias built into their assessment criteria. The reply article singles out as an unresolved issue whether or…

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), initially developed for undergraduate medical education, has been adapted for assessment of clinical skills in podiatry students. A 12-month pilot study found the test had relatively low levels of reliability, high construct and criterion validity, and good stability of performance over time.…

A study compared evaluations of undergraduate students' oral presentations by groups of peers and faculty teams. Students (n=210), in assessment teams, rated quality of content and presentation using a 22-point guide. Comparison of peer and faculty scores showed no significant difference in averages but did show significant differences in standard…

The structure of temperament over the ages 3 to 7 years was investigated through factor analysis of maternal ratings of 1,366 children on the Childhood Temperament Questionnaire (CTQ). Found four strong factors (inflexibility, sociability, persistence, and rhythmicity) and two weak ones (activity-mood and threshold). Discusses the strengths and…

Sixty 10- to 12-year-old Irish girls completed questionnaires that assessed depression and self-perception and a newly developed scale that assessed peer victimization. Girls were also asked to identify themselves or their classmates as being the victims of bullying. The 12 girls who said they were bullied scored higher on the peer victimization…

Children's Social Behavior Questionnaire (CCBQ) scores from 240 children with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS), 95 with high-functioning autism, 181 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, 400 with psychiatric problems, and 234 controls, indicated significant group differences on all scales and good test…

A study examined the technical adequacy of curriculum-based measurement for assessing growth in 43 second-graders whose reading performance was measured monthly over the school year with the maze task. Results showed that the maze task had good alternate-form reliability, sensitively reflected improvement of student performance, and revealed…

Presents findings from investigation of the validity of the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Scale, CIS (1989), in preschools in Concepcion, Chile. Demonstrates the reliability and validity of the scale to evaluate the interaction of the childhood educator with young children, suggesting changes to the scale. Notes differences found for school type.…