Applied a structured framework to the research literature to assess the general effectiveness of integrity tests as used to assess "honesty" in preemployment screening. In terms of acceptability, research has indicated that integrity tests are viewed neither positively nor negatively, but considerable debate remains about false positive rates and…

Discusses how the use of state test results in isolation to make important decisions about schools and students essentially guarantees that woes will follow. Situates the discussion in the context of state-mandated testing in Massachusetts and explains why scores on the Massachusetts examinations fluctuate. (SLD)

Studied the opinions of professional psychologists in Europe about tests and testing with samples of 3,455 Spanish, 2,407 English, 2,079 Dutch, 321 Slovenian, 219 Croatian, and 210 Belgian psychologists. Results show a generally positive attitude about tests and testing, coupled with an awareness that institutions need to adopt a more active role…

Reviews "Testing and Measurement in Early Childhood Education," a book by Sue Clark Wortham. (BB)

Presents responses of eight teachers concerning the effects of mandated testing. Describes how the teachers cope with the problems raised by mandated tests. (RS)

Lists and discusses sources of employment test information, with special attention on information given to what will be valuable to employment and career counselors. Includes discussion of trends, standards for employment testing, and legal aspects of testing. (Author/ABL)

Opposing views are expressed on the value of standardized testing (ST) in public schools. The pro-ST view argues that these tests provide comparative data needed to plan and evaluate schools and individuals. The opposing view focuses on problems of reliability, validity, and bias; and on the damage done to children. (IAH)

Reliability and validity of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Scale, a measure developed for adults, were studied for adolescents using a sample of 223 adolescents ages 12 to 18, from community and clinical sources. Results demonstrate that the instrument is a reliable and valid measure of social phobia for adolescents. (SLD)

Polytomous item response theory models and the research that has been conducted to investigate a variety of possible operational procedures for polytomous model-based computerized adaptive testing (CAT) are reviewed, along with studies comparing polytomous CAT systems with competing item response theory models. (SLD)

The relationship between Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) scores and major depression, conduct disorder, and anxiety disorders was studied for 107 psychiatric inpatients aged 12 to 18 years. Findings support total CDI score, rather than factor scores, as the most practical measure for classifying participants as depressed or not. (SLD)

The construct validity of the Life Role Salience Scales was studied with 94 nonprofessional working women. Overall, with the exception of the study's inability to reproduce the value and commitment distinctions of the original analysis of the measure, results offer reasonable support for the construct validity of the scales. (SLD)

To gather normative observations on a visual memory test developed by A. Rey (1964), it was administered to 100 temporal-lobe epilepsy patients with memory deficits and 56 outpatients with neurological disorders. Results suggest a cutoff score of 7 on the memory test may alert the clinician to possible factitious memory complaints. (SLD)

Reviews the role of statistical hypothesis testing in research, discusses the problems with multiple t tests, indicates when they are a problem, and suggests a compromise solution. (one reference) (JL)

Unstated reasons for the trend toward alternative assessment include mismatch between teachers' student-centered orientation and depersonalization of traditional testing; teachers' desire to exercise professional judgment; and the feeling that traditional tests are redundant and do not reflect the entirety of classroom learning. (SK)

Evaluated ability of premarital assessment instrument, PREParation for Marriage (PREP-M) Questionnaire to predict marital satisfaction and stability one year after marriage. Findings suggest that higher premarital PREP-M scores, higher marital satisfaction and stability. Means for most satisfied and stable individuals were usually significantly…