To test the hypothesis that acculturation influences the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) performance of Native Americans, an instrument was developed to measure five components of acculturation. When both the acculturation instrument and the MMPI-168 were administered to 69 Rosebud Sioux, results confirmed the hypothesis. Thus,…

This essay looks at the background of teacher competency testing and the conditions contributing to dissatisfaction with the educational system. Short-term consequences of testing are described. (MT)

Instructional validity indicates that a district is testing what is taught. Minimum standards of fairness in pursuing educational equity are proposed. The standards include efforts to remediate students who fail competency tests, use instructional validity studies; present an adequate opportunity to learn, make an appropriate use of results, and…

The common approach to studies of predictive bias is analyzed within the context of a conceptual model in which predictors and criterion measures are viewed as fallible indicators of idealized qualifications. (Author/PN)

The author examines claims that the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) is less culturally biased than other standard tests of intelligence. He concludes that the diminished Black-White difference for the K-ABC is largely the result of psychometric and statistical artifacts. Implications for future test construction are noted.…

Discusses the nature and sources of test bias in measuring communication skills. Recommends structured performance assessment to reduce bias, contending that performance tests, if carefully administered, can be valid, unbiased methods of assessing communication skills. (PD)

A study involving 157 fourth graders revealed that the Adaptive Behavior Inventory for Children discriminated between adaptive and maladaptive behaviors among retarded and nonretarded Ss, while the Vineland produced significantly different scores for Anglos and Blacks. The Behavior Rating Profile did not discriminate between behavior of retarded…

The article summarizes current knowledge as it relates to three basic requirements for assessment (qualified personnel, adequate tools, and fair implementation) and identifies research and evaluation priorities for special education and school psychology. Priorities include defining minimum competency for assessment personnel and identifying…

Investigated cultural bias in the 46 verbal items of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) in 59 Anglo- and 59 Mexican-American children. Analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the verbal items of the MSCA are free from cultural bias. (JAC)

Two techniques for personnel selection are presented. The first is a graphical technique which non-technical personnel can use in deciding the number of minority applicants to admit to an institution. The other is a large scale computer technique which an institution can use to increase personnel diversity including cultural factors. (Author/DEP)

This study examined the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) through the use of testlet methods to model its inherent, locally dependent structure. Precision, measured by reliability, and fairness, measured by the comparability of performance across all identified subgroups of examinees, were the focus of the study. The polytomous item response theory…

Statistical procedures for detecting differential item functioning (DIF) are often used as an initial step to screen items for construct irrelevant variance. This research applies a DIF dissection method and a two-way classification scheme to SAT Reasoning Test™ verbal section data and explores the effects of deleting sizable DIF items on reported…

This study showed that almost all of the students brought calculators to the administration of the SAT I test in November 1996 and 1997 and continue to do so today. The number who actually used the calculators on the test and the extent to which they used them varied across students. Performance on the math sections of the exam was associated with…

This study explored whether the addition of the items with more advanced math content to the SAT Reasoning Test™ (SAT®) would impact test-taker performance. Two sets of SAT math equating sections were modified to form four subforms each. Different numbers of items with advanced content, taken from the SAT II: Mathematics Level IC Test (Math IC),…

The author describes the Non-Sexist Vocational Card Sort for use in counseling both men and women. This technique is less sexist than traditional approaches because: (1) the same vocational alternatives are offered to both men and women; (2) the gender of the occupational titles has been neutralized; and (3) the counselor and client can explore…