Examines Jones's and Nisbett's (1971, 1972) hypothesis that people generally attribute the actions of others to stable trait dispositions but see their own behavior as relatively more influenced by specific environmental circumstances. Discusses methodological problems in studies examining this hypothesis, suggesting ways they might be overcome.…

Underlying concepts and current issues in communicative testing are described, and several promising approaches to developing communicative tests are outlined. It is suggested that appropriate testing is likely to have dramatic effects on the format and content of foreign language curricula and on student motivation because of increased relevance.…

A problem-based, criterion-referenced examination of clinical competence was developed in order to positively influence students' learning in the direction of the faculty's clinical objectives. High satisfaction and high perceived relevance among students accompanied high reliability and validity. (MSE)

A validation study in the development of empirical measures of teacher stress is presented. Role-related, task-based, and environmental stress measures demonstrated internal consistency and provided reliable and valid multivariate assessment of teacher stress. (PN)

This paper assesses the reliabilities of the items and dimensions, determines the extent of agreement among raters, identifies the factor structure, and assesses the influence of sex and age of children on raters' perceptions on a short form of the Teacher Temperament Questionnaire. (Author/PN)

Outlines the benefits associated with true-false and multiple-choice tests and sets forth rules for writing effective items for such tests. (FL)

Describes the development, validity, and reliability (0.91 to 0.94) of a 50-item, Likert-format scale to measure students' attitudes toward science in grades 4 through 12 (N=806). (Author/JN)

Assessed reliability and validity for an instrument designed to assess depressiform cognitions. The results suggest that the scale is promising, however, a strong sex effect was noted in some of the characteristics of attribution. Suggests the need to evaluate sexual-cultural differences in attributional processes associated with depression.…

Advises principals about their responsibilities concerning the educational assessment of handicapped students. Discusses the scope of assessment, test validity and reliability, commonly used tests, assessment issues, and specific actions principals can take. (Author/WD)

Compared alternate forms of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised for (N=72) preschool children. Results indicated differences between Form L and Form M mean scores were nonsignificant for Whites, males, females, and the total group. For Black preschoolers, Form L was apparently more difficult to complete successfully than Form M. (Author)

Factor analyzed the Block Child Rearing Practices Report (CRPR) consisting of 91 socialization-relevant statements. Administered it to parents and undergraduates. Results indicated the modified 40-item Likert format of the CRPR facilitates administration and interpretation of the scale, without impeding reliability, and enhances its usefulness as…

Describes the development of an instrument for assessment of practical nutrition knowledge of high school senior girls. (Author/CS)

When conducting a profile analysis of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test, only those subtests in which the subtest specific variance equals or exceeds 25 percent of the total variance and exceeds error variance should be considered for interpretation. Behavioral factors and testing conditions also should be considered. (Author/BEF)

Initially school personnel tended to select devices with technically adequate reliability and validity. As decision making continued, technically inadequate devices were selected more often. More emphasis on the importance of technically adequate assessment devices is needed in training school professionals. (Author)

Illustrates the importance of carefully interpreting reading test results. (JT)