Results are reported from a study which assessed the validity of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) when administered to students (N=116) who performed a competitive basketball shooting task. The IMI is a flexible assessment tool that determines subjects' levels of intrinsic motivation as an additive function of four dimensions (factors).…

While most states require standardized teacher certification tests and many require testing to enter teacher training, there is little consensus on the skill level needed for teaching or the tests' validity. Concern about high minority group failure rates has also slowed implementation of testing requirements in some states. (MSE)

Recorded performance of children (N=311) between ages of 6 and 14 by summative ratings of test-session behavior. Results indicated test-session observations were critical as cross-checks of the validity of test scores obtained during test sessions, but provided considerably less insight into children's adaptation and achievement outside the…

A study of the construction and factor validity of the Response to Child Incest Questionnaire, a self-report instrument for assessing commonly reported symptoms of adult survivors of incest, is reported. The instrument's usefulness as a pre- and post-treatment measure and further research needs are discussed. (MSE)

Comparison of results of using the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist to identify mild or highly deviant behavior in 95 children (grades 3 through 6) by two regular education teachers of each child indicated little agreement between teachers. (Author/DB)

Six behavior rating scales used with children with problematic behaviors were reviewed for psychometric soundness of reliability and validity. They are: Behavior Dimensions Rating Scale; Behavior Evaluation Scale; Child Behavior Checklist, Teacher Report Form; Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale; Revised Behavior Problem Checklist;…

The evaluation of a parent-completed screening system, the Infant Monitoring Questionnaires, found: 86 percent to 91 percent agreement between classifications of infants made using standardized tests and the questionnaires, low under-screening and over-screening rates (0 percent to 11 percent), high inter-observer and test-retest agreement, and…

The review of the Test of Written Language-2 (TOWL-2) raises concerns about alternate forms reliability, subtest reliability, content validity, and omissions. It concludes that the TOWL-2 is an expanded and greatly modified version of the original test but may not be appropriate for identifying a student's specific writing problems. (DB)

Practices surrounding the assessment and retention of young children have been driven by: (1) mandates and symbolic messages from policymakers and the public; and (2) educators' coping behaviors and supporting beliefs. The time has come to devise and test alternative ways to enhance young children's success at school. Includes seven references.…

This investigation compared the Peabody Individual Achievement Test and the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test scores of 131 children in grades 1-8, in order to determine whether findings of lower Woodcock scores are equally robust for each level. Differences in validity coefficients decreased from earlier to later grades. (Author/PB)

Describes the Child Abuse Potential Inventory and associated psychometric data. Discusses uses and misuses of the inventory, general test limitations, and screening instruments available to professionals concerned with child maltreatment. (RJC)

This paper demonstrates how an analysis of the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" (1985) can define the body of knowledge needed by teachers for the effective use of tests in classroom instruction. Procedures are described for identifying standards relevant to teachers' roles and their behavior. (SLD)

Argues that occupational tests can exclude racial minorities and that many industrial psychologists have overlooked evidence that many tests are biased and that some claims for validity generalization are based on faulty science. Outlines what plaintiff's counsel looks for in deciding to try a testing case, and provides primer on how to challenge…

The purpose of this study was to field test and estimate the validity and reliability of a set of generalizable interpersonal skills assessment strategies and procedures on handicapped children in secondary vocational programs. If the instruments and procedures are valid and reliable, they could be used to identify their generalizable…

Subjected Modified World Affairs Questionnaire (MWAQ) to comparable common factor analysis which identified five factors: civil defense, escalation, nuclear war outcome, probability/worry, and patriotic. Alpha coefficients and test-retest reliability were determined to be adequate for the first four subscales. Acceptable discriminant validity and…