Identifies different types of tests and then treats evaluation tests at some length. Emphasizes that there is no such things as a universal test, which can be used to measure the second-language competence of any group of people," and that tests are only useful for the group they were designed to measure." (FB)

Suggests that in order to evaluate the effectiveness of instructional procedures for the production of students who can both critically analyze and produce ideas, science teachers need to re-examine their measurement procedures in the light of the "new science curricular goals. Examples of test items that fit the "new curricular philosophy and…

Study conducted by the Aptitudes Research Project at the University of Southern California, under Contract Nonr-228(20) with the Office of Naval Research, Personnel and Training Branch.

The first idea presented is an activity aimed at teaching students to reduce a fraction to lowest terms by looking for the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numerator and denominator. The second idea looks at ways to construct solution problems that are challenging but which do not bog pupils down. (MP)

Bayesian estimation procedures based on a hierarchical model for estimating parameters in the Rasch model are described. It is shown that the Bayesian procedures result in estimates with superior statistical characteristics. (Author/JKS)

An extension is described of Marcia's (1966) Identity Status Interview into three interpersonal domains: friendship, dating, and sex roles. Justification for the new sections is provided on the basis of theory and research on sex differences in adolescent identity. Methodological refinements in the interview are presented. (Author/PN)

The Survey of Reading Attitudes was administered to fifth and sixth graders. A factor analysis revealed eight factors: Expressed Reading Difficulty, Reading as Enjoyment, Reading Group, Silent vs. Oral Reading, Alternative Learning Modes, Reading as Direct Reinforcement, Comics, and Reading Anxiety. The obtained factor structure was compared with…

The applicability of adult education research is examined through a discussion of variables, external validity, and conceptualization. Models of theory-focused and practice problem-focused research are drawn and a developmental model is introduced. The development and application of a Participation Reasons Scale demonstrates the utility of the…

This study introduces the individual consistency index (ICI), which measures the extent to which patterns of responses to parallel sets of items remain consistent over time. ICI is used as an error diagnostic tool to detect aberrant response patterns resulting from the consistent application of erroneous rules of operation. (Author/PN)

Reports progress made toward developing a scale for measuring the reading attitudes of college students. Presents the scale, along with an answer key and a worksheet for scoring and interpreting results. (FL)

Compared were the Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) and a modified version of the ABS (which allowed alternative methods of communication such as sign language) with 134 deaf-blind persons, three to 30 years old. Among results were that alternative communication methods had no effect on nine of 10 ABS domains. (Author/MC)