The Policy and the Higher Literacies project reviewed state and local "thoughtfulness" mandates, interviewed appropriate administrators, and visited schools and classrooms boasting higher literacy activities. While most interviewees believed in commercial test validity, those engaged in higher literacy activities largely ignored such…

LISREL maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analyses assessed the effects of grouped and random formats on convergent and discriminant validity of two sets of questionnaires--job characteristics scales and satisfaction measures--each administered to 80 college students. The grouped format was superior, and the usefulness of LISREL confirmatory…

Explored validity and potential use of Family-of-Origin Scale (FOS). Subjects included 100 adults currently in psychotherapy, 100 adults not in psychotherapy, 32 who had previously sought treatment, and 41 college students. The results showed that the FOS differentiated between patients and nonpatients, but it measured only one general factor and…

The structural validity of the Index of Organizational Reactions (IOR)--an eight-factor job satisfaction scale--was investigated via confirmatory factor analysis. Results of first- and second-order factor analyses of data concerning a stratified random sample of 445 employees of a large financial institution are reported. (TJH)

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, a standardized protocol for observation of social and communicative behavior associated with autism, is described. Data on interrater reliability as well as test-retest reliability and discriminant validity are provided. (Author/DB)

The investigation examining the effect of kindergarten experience on the performance of children on the Bankson Language Screening Test suggested the need for different sets of language test norms for children with and without kindergarten experience. (Author/DB)

Introduces a theoretical framework for mastery testing, using Item Response Theory and Bayesian Decision Theory. The idea of sequential testing is developed, with the goal of providing longer or shorter tests as needed, and a computerized application to a hypothetical professional knowledge examination is discussed. (Author/LRW)

The study investigated the concurrent validity of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised and Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence for 15 language delayed and 36 non-language delayed children (ages 45 to 76 months). (DB)

A survey of 123 rehabilitation counseling students' perceptions of supervisory style and supervisor behaviors during practicum was conducted. Using the Supervisory Style Inventory and the Supervisory Questionnaire-Revised, confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original factor structure of either scale and no consistent relationship…

Investigated emotional responses to the still-face paradigm in preterm and full-term black infants. Preterm infants spent less time than full-term infants displaying big smiles in one episode, and showed a less pronounced decrease in big smiles in a second episode. Results confirm the robustness of the still-face paradigm. (HTH)

Describes a study of 52 male inmates in Ontario (Canada) that was conducted to compare paper-and-pencil versus computer-based formats of the State-Trait Personality Inventory, the Anger Expression Scale, the Belief Scale, and the Vengeance Scale. The validity of assessments of incarcerated individuals regardless of administration modality is…

Further examines the reliability of the Developing Understanding of Self and Others Affectivity Assessment Device by increasing the sample size from previous studies, and by including samples for the second, third, and fourth grade. All correlations were in the range of the two previous studies. (JPS)

The Problem Oriented Screening Inventory for Teenagers (POSIT) was analyzed in a Hispanic majority school district to determine the test/retest correlation of the English and Spanish versions of the instrument. Data analysis indicated fairly weak agreement between the English and Spanish POSIT version results for this sample of bilingual…

Determined reliability and validity of trait form of Depression Adjective Checklist (DACL) for Sets 1 and 2 with adolescents in grades 7 through 9 (Set 1, n=199) and grades 8 through 12 (Set 2, n=380). Internal consistency, split-half, test-retest, and alternate form reliability were high, as was convergent and discriminant validity. (Author/NB)

Translated Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, Life Satisfaction Index, and Affect Balance Scale into Castilian Spanish and Catalan and obtained responses to instruments from 151 elderly persons living in Spain. Reliability estimates for Life Satisfaction Index and Affect Balance subscales were comparable to those for English-speaking…