This article traces the development by teacher educators of the K.A.R.E.(knowledgeability, authenticity, reflectivity, and engagement) scale, designed to assess the fieldwork of student teachers seeking licensure as secondary level teachers in California. Implications of the development process for faculty, supervisors, and students are discussed,…

Validity of the Desire for Control on Examinations (DCE) scale, developed as a measure of an individual's desire for control in an examination context, was studied with 3 samples (total of 378 college students), using a 5-point Likert-type scale, a general 5-point scale, and the Desirability of Control (DC) scale. The DCE exhibited acceptable…

When the network-flow algorithm (NFA) and the average growth approximation algorithm (AGAA) were used for automated test assembly with American College Test and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery item banks, results indicate that reasonable error in item parameters is not harmful for test assembly using NFA or AGAA. (SLD)

Describes the writing of a new placement test and provides detailed results of a validity study on the test. Concludes that placement testing does not work very well. Suggests that undergraduate mathematics departments consider using existing data rather than giving a separate placement test. (Author/KHR)

Two studies involving 98 prisoners and 92 undergraduates examined whether increased attention to interpersonal behaviors would improve assessments of the personality core underlying psychopathology. Twenty-one items were developed as the Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathology. Measurement of interpersonal behavior appears to improve prediction…

The dimensionality of the Measure of Ingratiatory Behaviors in Organizational Settings (MIBOS) (K. Kumar and M. Beyerlein, 1991) was studied with data from 203 state government employees. Results do not confirm the factor solution proposed by the measure's creators. Suggestions are offered to improve the psychometric properties of the MIBOS scale.…

Outlines the development of a new interest inventory based on the RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional) model. Rigorous development procedures and outcomes of a large validation study attest to the inventory's validity and reliability; it was found to be psychometrically sound and systematically correlated…

Argues that, in implementing non-traditional assessment methods, educators should first determine the significant learning outcomes of courses and whether the methods are right for those outcomes. Presents a three-step process for designing and implementing the right set of assessments and describes two examples illustrating the use of the…

Summarizes the current state of the art in test construction and contrasts it with previous conceptual models, some of which are wrong or misleading. New methodologies for item selection and review are presented, with current thinking on the specification of technical characteristics of tests. (Author/SLD)

The authors of the "Guidelines," a task force of eight, intend to present an organized list of features to be considered in reporting or evaluating computerized-adaptive assessments. Apart from a few weaknesses, the book is a useful and complete document that will be very helpful to test developers. (SLD)

A collage with pictorial and verbal stimuli to assess life skills of young workers was developed using a framework for alternative assessment and stimuli instruments. The instrument was evaluated using Bloom's taxonomy for the cognitive domain and Krathwohl et al.'s taxonomy for the affective domain. (Contains 16 references.) (SK)

Explains the importance of problem solving and critical thinking for scientific literacy and discusses assessment strategies to evaluate student problem solving. (YDS)

Describes the development and testing of a multifaceted Foreign Language in the Elementary School program evaluation instrument that would efficiently provide essential data regarding such aspects as teacher qualifications, goals and objectives, pedagogy, articulation, homework and grades, parent support, workload, at-risk students, and student…

This paper describes the rationale for and the development of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). The GOHAI has demonstrated a high level of internal consistency and reliability. Poor GOHAI scores were significantly correlated to having fewer teeth, wearing a removable denture, and perceiving the need for dental treatment.…

Discusses large state schools' needs for placement and assessment tests resulting from the large enrollments in foreign language courses, and reports on the development and field test of an item bank developed at the University of Iowa for the placement and assessment of language students. (14 references) (GLR)