A test item is defined as connotatively consistent (CC) or connotatively inconsistent (CI) when its connotation agrees with or contradicts that of the majority of items on a test. CC and CI items were examined in the Life Orientation Test and were shown to measure correlated but distinct traits. (SLD)

The development of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is described based on data from a case study of a reading test. The theory of genre proposed by Kress is also discussed, along with the need for the TOEFL-2000 test development team at the Educational Testing Service to address the washback effect of the test. (Author/LB)

Presents brief history of process research leading to development of process model, which guided development of four measures: therapist intentions, therapist response modes, client reactions, and client behaviors. For each measure, presents description and information about format for data collection, validity, reliability, and research findings.…

Developed Personal Independence Profile (PIP) as an instrument to measure aspects of independence beyond physical and cognitive functioning in people with diverse disabilities. PIP was tested for reliability and validity with 185 subjects from 10 independent living centers. Findings suggest that the Personal Independence Profile measures the…

Reviews development of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and describes its current status. A central issue is deciding exactly what to assess in each school subject at each grade level. Currently, NAEP is a low-stakes test with questionable policy relevance. Other problems surround NAEP proficiency scale interpretations and…

A three-phase study was conducted to develop and validate the Penn Inventory for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a 26-item self-report measure. Results with 83 and 98 combat veterans and with 76 general population patients and disaster survivors support usefulness of the measure. (SLD)

A validation strategy is proposed for professional licensure tests after reviewing arguments for incorporating a theory of professions into the test development process. Components of such a theory are described, and a methodology is proposed for licensure test design that balances the concepts of content and construct validation. (SLD)

Discusses the issues related to the testing of listening comprehension in the context of the 1986 American Council Teaching Foreign Language Proficiency Guidelines. Four issues are singled out: the meaning of context in testing listening; the concept of criterion-referenced tests; the notion of specific purposes in testing; and the use of…

Reviews issues faced by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools in developing a predictor exam when the exam is designed for U.S.-educated nurses. Describes issues surrounding the administration of a predictive exam internationally. (JOW)

Analyses of the internal consistency of three autism scales--the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), the Real Life Rating Scale (RLRS), and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)--were conducted with 34 children with pervasive developmental disabilities. Good internal consistency was found for the CARS. Adequate full-scale consistency was found for…

Reviews issues relevant to the assessment of a listening comprehension construct and proposes a framework that specifies the person, competence, text, and item domains and components of assessment. Specifications focus on identification of the factors that relate to the purpose, object, and agent of assessment. (41 references) (JP)

A comprehensive review is given of evidence, with a bearing on the recommendation to avoid use of complex multiple choice (CMC) items. Avoiding Type K items (four primary responses and five secondary choices) seems warranted, but evidence against CMC in general is less clear. (SLD)

The experience of developing a set of comprehensive aptitude batteries for computer administration for the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory's Learning Abilities Measurement Program resulted in the formulation of nine principles for creation of a computerized test battery. These principles are discussed in the context of research on…

By administering an attitude survey to 3,328 parents of elementary school students, use of positive and negative Likert item stems was analyzed. Respondents who answered positive/negative item pairs that were parallel in meaning consistently were compared with those who answered inconsistently. Implications for construction of affective measures…

Describes the development of the Psicologico Texto (PT), a personality survey specifically designed for the Spanish-literate offender. Describes problems in accurate, relevant assessment of those individuals who generally have poor literary skills. Tested PT with offenders (n=130) of Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Cuban heritages. (Author/ABL)