This paper describes the process for creating and validating an assessment test that measures the effectiveness of instruction by probing how well that instruction causes students in a class to think like experts about specific areas of science. The design principles and process are laid out and it is shown how these align with professional…

A component of a school assessment plan includes traditional IQ testing, often referred to as psychological or psycho-educational testing. Psycho-educational testing can yield information about how a student compares to others in her grade or age group, individual strengths and needs, and recommendations to improve instruction. The intended…

Citing reports issued by the National Academy of Sciences on ability testing, testing of handicapped people, and placing children in special education, this paper reviews the role of psychological tests in assessments, bias in test scores, factors affecting test scores, placement considerations, effective instruction, and guidelines for assessment…

The article suggests that results of psychological assessment should be communicated to families of disabled children in a way that would combine understandable information with a family treatment plan. Case examples illustrate the use of feedback to alter cognition as well as family structure. (CL)

Accommodations to standard test administrations are granted on many tests for students who have one or more disabling conditions. In some instances, students' scores from these nonstandard administrations are "flagged" to caution those who interpret the test score that the test was not administered under typical conditions. The practice of…

Examples are provided of a computerized special education management system used to manage assessment data for exceptional students. The system is designed to provide a simple yet efficient method of tracking data from educational and psychological evaluations (specifically the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised scores). (CL)

This report examines the state of the art in assessing bilingual and/or multicultural students and asserts that dramatic improvements in assessment practices cannot be made within the context of the existing medical model. It is noted that existing assessment processes rely upon administration of technically-suspect norm-referenced measures to…

The impact of examiner/examinee familiarity and rapport on psychological test performance is reviewed. Drawing upon research involving hundreds of young handicapped and nonhandicapped children, it was found that certain handicapped children obtain higher scores when tested by familiar examiners. Implications for practice, theory, and personnel…

Computers are used to manage assessment information for special education students and to administer, score, and interpret tests. Although the content validity of computer-administered assessment instruments may have certain practical limitations, several useful advantages can be gained by using computer-administered tests, including real-time…

The monograph presents eight papers delivered at the 1985 symposium on exceptional Hispanic children and youth. R. Rueda and J. Mercer begin with "A Predictive Analysis of Decision-Making Practices with Limited English Proficient Handicapped Students" which examines the generalizability of a path model to the referral process in two urban…

The handbook reviews the history and current state of the art of special education for exceptional bilingual students and provides approaches for development of programs. Ties between bilingual and exceptional education are traced historically; then legislation to assure equal opportunity is reviewed. Definitions, characteristics, and special…