The measurement of mental functioning is problematic, especially when Blacks are being assessed. Eurocentric paradigms and expectations are being used to assess Africentric psychology and behavior. Traditional psychometric instruments attempt to reaffirm a belief in the superiority of European culture. Scholars must search for universals in mental…

Two nested structural models are developed to determine whether test-session behaviors affect the manner in which intelligence is measured or influence the constructs being measured. Results indicate that test-session behaviors play a larger role influencing the mechanisms of measurement than on the constructs of intelligence. (Author/EMK)

Six articles discuss testing and measurement in Soviet schools. Subjects include problems and reliability of psychological testing, methods for improvement, testing of teaching results, and teaching and evaluation of pupils' knowledge. (KC)

Discussion of the psychological assessment of children with learning difficulties considers: the role of the educational psychologist, IQ testing, behavioral and curricular approaches to assessment, dynamic assessment, and the relevance of psychological assessment to educational practice. Conclusions call for more ecologically valid assessment.…

An overview is presented of current issues in the assessment of gifted and talented persons, with an emphasis on generalizable and universal talents and the operational methods used in their identification. The Chinese were seeking out talented individuals through formal identification procedures as early as 2200 BC. In the Western world, the use…

The literature on testing has documented the existence of persistent anomalies in test scores of bilingual students. School psychology, which is test-dependent and test-defined, has an inadequate technology and knowledge base to deal with the testing of bilingual students, leading to error and misdiagnosis exacerbated by lack of viable testing…

Educational and psychological measurement has been a main area of work for the Australian Council for Educational (ACER) since its inception. The theoretical and practical contributions of latent trait measurement and commentary on the relatively recent use of these models in Australia were the focus of a seminar celebrating the 50th anniversary…

Surveys recent judicial examinations of educational practices, considers the role of psychological testing in efforts to block desegregation, and evaluates legislation concerning the testing process. Available from Maryland Law Review, Inc., University of Maryland School of Law, 500 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201. (Author/IRT)

The history of the concept of intelligence is reviewed, and the construction and uses of psychological tests are explored. Skills consist of a large number of abilities. It is argued that the psychological entity, intelligence, is determined by particular contexts, contexts often induced by social demands. (SLD)

This document provides a discussion of the scrutiny for bias and unfairness that standardized tests have come under by persons involved in the construction, administration, use, and interpretation of test results. After this discussion six simulation exercises are provided. In these exercises a situation is described involving the use of test…

This book contains selected papers and excerpts from books by Seymour B. Sarason which chronicle the development of his ideas on educational change. Early papers addressed several themes that were later incorporated into a perspective of educational change: (1) professionalism is a combination of making mistakes and valuing one's own knowledge;…

Presents a history and analysis of the Larry P. v Wilson Riles litigation in California which prohibited the use of intelligence tests for determining eligibility of Black children for placement in educable mentally retarded programs. Argues against the court decision, and claims tests are not biased. (APM)

This volume examines historic, cross-cultural, and psychometric issues with regard to the use of psychological testing in South Africa. After an introduction in Chapter 1, the following chapters are: "Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education"; "History of the Development of Psychological Tests," which includes…

Examines accuracy evaluation in published testing programs of the following: J. M. Cattell; C. Spearman; A. Binet; L. M. Terman; R. M. Yerkes; E. L. Thorndike; and W. D. Scott. Developing community and consensus on testing required convergence between theorists and practitioners. (SLD)

This analysis of testing as a social institution covers contemporary testing, from tests of integrity, truthfulness, and drug tests (authenticity tests) through tests of achievement, intelligence, and vocational interest (qualifying tests). It is argued that tests both construct social persons and control and dominate them. (SLD)