The Self-Expressiveness in the Family Questionnaire is introduced as a measure of emotional expressiveness. Four studies involving 499 mothers and 362 fathers provided evidence of good convergent, discriminant, and construct validity for the instrument and a preliminary short form. Factor analyses support a two-factor solution across the studies.…

The role of assessment in science education is explored, focusing on summative assessment in British public certificate examinations. Examples of test items are presented to illustrate difficulties in making valid and reliable assessments, and issues with implications for formative assessment are discussed. (SLD)

Results are presented from a study of portfolio use for large-scale assessment in the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) public schools that are more encouraging for the use of this form of assessment than many other studies have been. Requirements for the psychometric integrity of portfolio assessment are discussed. (SLD)

A total of 951 school psychologists responded to a survey about language learning disabilities and speech/language referral practices. Findings suggest limited training about speech and language disorders and a need to develop greater awareness of appropriate assessment measures among school psychologists. (SLD)

The growth of educational testing in the Netherlands is reviewed, and the way tests are used in elementary and secondary education is described. Educational testing in the Netherlands has been strongly connected to the existence of the National Institute for Educational Measurement (CITO). (SLD)

General information about Steps 1 and 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) are offered to support proper use of the results for three general, nonlicensure applications: (1) evaluation of academic achievement; (2) program evaluation; and (3) selection for residencies. (Author/MSE)

The Quality of Life Inventory, a measure of life satisfaction for psychological assessment and treatment planning, was evaluated with 54 inpatients, 54 recovering alcoholics, 18 private alcohol- and drug-treatment patients, 127 college counseling recipients, 272 undergraduates, and 19 criminal offenders. Results support the measures' psychometric…

Study investigated accountability task structures related to high school physical educators' systematic evaluation, formal assessment, and objective grading procedures. Research found inconsistencies between what teachers reported in writing and the content of student assessment and what they emphasized to students and actually assessed. Many…

Explores issues involved in using assessments to define standards and encourage efforts to meet them and compares the European examination system with the American testing system. Also considered are issues of the definition of learning domains in ways that do not encourage narrowly focused training on specific assessment items. (SLD)

A questionnaire about the effects of standardized testing and the meaning of scores and score gains was completed by 341 upper elementary school teachers. Teachers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) students appear to be under greater pressure to improve scores and focus on test content than teachers in higher SES schools. (SLD)

Discussion of the newly modified United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 reviews the test, phase-in plans, and potential impact on basic biomedical sciences education. It is recommended that medical schools not use the test as the sole criterion for promotion to the third year and carefully review other examination-related requirements…

Many clinicians are reluctant to discuss test results with clients. The four articles of this special section (1) explore ethical issues involved in discussing test results with clients; (2) illustrate the test feedback process for neuropsychological evaluation; and (3) examine the impact of test feedback on the individual's functioning. (SLD)

Psychometrically linking a state criterion-referenced test (CRT) and a norm-referenced test (NRT) to yield NRT information through the CRT was studied with samples of 1,500 to 3,000 elementary school students per subject and grade level in Connecticut. A CRT/NRT link can create a focused and coherent assessment system. (SLD)

A University of Hawaii study compared objective and subjective assessments of the three-step triple jump examination which tests medical students' clinical problem-solving processes. Subjects were 58 first-year students. Results found the subjective assessments were more consistent across problems of varying difficulty level than were objective…

Examines gender role orientations of characters in prime time television advertisements through the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) completed by 426 college students (43.2% females). Results confirm the appropriateness of the scale for self- and person-perception ratings. Uses of the BSRI in gender role research are discussed. (SLD)