The random response technique was compared to a direct questionnaire, administered to college students, to investigate whether or not the responses predicted the social desirability of the item. Results suggest support for the hypothesis. A 33-item version of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale which was used is included. (GDC)

Factor analyses of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) were performed on separate groups of Anglo (n=100) and Mexican-American (n=100) fifth-grade children to determine the comparability of underlying structures and to examine the existence of possible bias in construct validity of the K-ABC for each group. (Author/LMO)

The article presents an examination of the tenets of nonbiased assessment, an evaluation of tests for assessing Mexican-American students reading skills, and a discussion of research relevant to reading instruction programs for limited-English proficient students. (Author/DB)

The effects of examiner unfamiliarity on the test performance of language handicapped and nonhandicapped preschoolers and school-age children are explored. Results indicate that examiner unfamiliarity selectively depresses handicapped children's test performance, constituting a systemic source of error and threatening the validity of handicapped…

The stability was evaluated of a partial correlation index, comparisons of item characteristic curves, and comparisions of item difficulties in assessing race and sex differences in the performance of verbal items on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test. All three indexes exhibited consistency in identifying the same items in different…

This study examined the effects of selected reader and task variables on reading comprehension performance. Several reader and task interaction effects were found to be significant, particularly for lookback conditions and constructed response tasks. Cognitive style interacted with hearing state on tasks involving lookback options. (Author/DWH)

Test scores are being used for a variety of inappropriate purposes, often to the detriment of minorities. This article recounts recent evidence on misuse of testing, offers strategies for preventing abuse, and urges professionals to take on active roles in preventing misuse of their wares. (LMO)

Twenty-one studies that reported mean score differences between the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability (WJTCA) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) Full Scale are summarized. The differences are found to be minimal and are attributed to data bias and WJTCA's higher correlation with achievement. (EGS)

The article aims to: (1) identify and document some of the types and kinds of testing and evaluation infractions to which children are exposed, (2) explore the possible contributing causes for this situation, and (3) suggest changes which could reduce the recurrence of such situations. (Author/NQ)

The Kidtalk Interactive Diagnostic Test of Aptitude for Language Knowledge (KIDTALK) is an assessment instrument designed for identifying children with specific language impairments not associated with limited English proficiency. It is based on three principles: (1) a language disorder can be identified by testing an individual's potential for…

To circumvent isolationism, ethnocentrism, and intolerance experienced by culturally diverse students and their parents in U.S. schools, education policies must be effectively documented with methodological endorsement of multicultural education as policy for all students to be personally meaningful, socially relevant, culturally accurate, and…

A study examined racial/ethnic and gender bias on curriculum-based measurement (CBM) of reading with African-American and Caucasian male and female regular education students across grades 2-5. Simultaneous multiple regression analyses were conducted by grade to examine group differences on CBM as an estimate of reading comprehension. Regression…

The objections of testing experts to standardized testing are evaluated. The report begins with a foreword by Chester E. Finn, Jr., followed by an executive summary and an introduction. Four case studies include: (1) experts' opposition to high-stakes testing in Texas; (2) in North Carolina; (3) concerns raised in connection with the National…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires that all children, including English language learners (ELLs), reach high standards by demonstrating proficiency in English language arts and mathematics by 2014. Schools and districts must help ELL students, among other subgroups, make continuous progress toward this goal, as measured by…

Differential item functioning (DIF) occurs when the responses of students with approximately equal ability differ systematically based on their group membership. Idaho contracted with the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) to provide the Idaho Standards Achievement Tests of reading, language arts and mathematics at grades 4, 8 and 10. The…