The extent of American literacy is examined and the concept of literacy defined. Literacy can be measured through responsible testing practices and can be improved through responsive public programs. Assessing abilities and correcting deficiencies are seen as priorities for the future. (Author/MLW)

The construction of attitude measures frequently requires the identification of relevant areas to be measured. Latent partition analysis can be used to develop conceptually independent sub-scales by pooling the expertise of several persons. An example and suggestions of its applicability in other areas are provided. (Author/JKS)

Implications are discussed for teacher involvement in structuring and administering the proposed common examination at 16+. (CS)

A regression equation relating verbal and full-scale IQs was derived from scores of patients. Scores were highly correlated, and verbal IQ significantly exceeded full-scale IQ. Regression estimates closely estimated mean full-scale IQ, suggesting that the verbal scale serves effectively as a WAIS abbreviation. (Author)

Reliabilities for immediate recall of females, aged 71-93 years, on subtests were adequate; those for delayed recall were less adequate; and those for percentage-retained scores were unacceptable. Recommended the development of an alternative form of Russell's revised Wechsler Memory Scale. (Author/BEF)

Examines the importance of attitudes and attitude measurement, describing how attitudes are measured through a description of the characteristics of measurement, categories of attitude measurement, and the process of measuring attitudes. Test validity, reliability, and revision are discussed, as are the analysis and display of data. (RAO)

Some background information is given about the GRE. A detailed account of its construction, its recent history, and some of the thinking that has gone into it is related. (MP)

Outlines a method for constructing minimum competency tests that are legitimate, answerable, and useful. At the heart of such tests is an item bank that is open to all to view. (Author/IRT)

The advantages of the Mode 3 examination program, in which the process of syllabus development, examination construction, and grading is carried out internally by the individual teacher, are discussed. (RW)

A sample of 200 men and women matching the characteristics of the married U.S. population for age, income, education, and race was administered a 101-item questionnaire assessing the full range of their sexual activities with their mates. The test as a whole was found to be statistically sound. (Author)

Four issues associated with calculator-available assessments are discussed: (1) benefits and problems of calculator use; (2) components of various types of calculator-available assessments; (3) construction of calculator-available assessments; and (4) the need for additional examination of items included on calculator-available assessments. (SLD)

The development and validation of an instrument to assess goal orientation for the work domain are reported. Results of exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and nomological network analysis of results from 556 undergraduates all support the conclusion that the instrument operationalizes the theorized…

The construct validity of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) was studied. The IIP was used to categorize 104 patients reporting interpersonal distress into 4 problem quadrants. Results offer broad support for the convergent validity of the IIP and offer knowledge about interpersonal problems and the psychotherapy context. (SLD)

Two samples of normal-range individuals (n=237) completed the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire, each assessing traits relevant to personality disorder. Convergence between the instruments and results support a replicable structure of maladaptive…

An interjudge reliability test was conducted to evaluate questionnaires used in the surveillance of residential care institutions in Israel. Results from 32 institutions (evaluated by two surveyor teams--one social worker and 1 nurse per team) and the variance in reliability were used to improve the questionnaires and their administration. (SLD)