The rapid growth of minimum competency testing (by 1981, 36 states in the United States had mandated some form of minimum competency testing) has led to increased legal challenges of the existing testing programs. Three issues have been raised and are summarized in this brief overview: (1) constitutional claims under the due process clause; (2)…

A description of the problems that occurred with attempts to conduct drug tests at the 1987 Pan American games leads to a discussion of the legal challenges to drug testing and the need to establish a clear, effective, and fair policy for drug tests of athletes. (CB)

The article addresses 10 questions that should receive thoughtful consideration prior to initiating a competency testing program for handicapped students. (Author)

This document discusses the proposed "Rights and Responsibilities of Test Takers" from the perspective of a large employer using employment testing to predict future performance in a variety of jobs. It is suggested that the proposed document will impede an employer's ability to use tests for selection purposes in three ways. The existence of the…

The problems of cheating on tests and what to do about it are explored, beginning with information on the methods used to cheat. Methods to detect cheating, circumstances that promote cheating, and ways to respond at the individual and institutional levels are outlined. The chapters are: (1) "An Introduction to Cheating: The Wrong and the Short of…

This report focuses on a myriad of national, state, and local laws, regulations and court decisions which govern the everyday work of industrial and organizational psychologists. Legislation already in effect and legislation still pending are discussed. Citing relevant legislation and court decisions throughout the text, the paper addresses such…

This Digest overviews legal challenges in five areas of test use for decision-making in schools: ability tracking, placement in special education classes, test scores as college admissions criteria, test disclosure, and teacher competency testing. Cases illustrating these challenges are described and include: Hobson v. Hansen (1967), Moses v.…

This brief overview of minimum competency testing and disabled high school students discusses: the inclusion or exclusion of handicapped students in minimum competency testing programs; approaches to accommodating the individual needs of handicapped students; and legal issues. Surveys of states that have mandated minimum competency tests indicate…

Issues related to an increasing incompatibility between school psychology and projective assessment are examined. These issues pertain to educational relevance, changing social and educational values, potential litigation, and technical adequacy. The authors conclude that there are few valid reasons for school psychologists to use projective…

Self-regulation of agencies administering professional licensing and certification tests is questioned on social and legal grounds. Topics include test validity concerns of applicants, extension of "truth in testing" legislation, explicitness of standards, and whether construct validity should be the primary requirement for selecting a…

Reviews history and application of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to argue that adverse impact definition of test discrimination embodied in unanimous 1971 Supreme Court decision in Griggs versus Duke Power Company and its progeny is the product of successful advocacy of unelected bureaucrats rather than a product of public…

The gap between professionally and legally acceptable practice in professional licensure tests is addressed. Pertinent activities of the American Psychological Association, American Educational Research Association, and the National Council for Measurement in Education are discussed. (TJH)

This response to Batsche and Peterson's article discusses the theoretical, empirical, and pragmatic merits of projective assessment when performed in the context of a comprehensive personality assessment battery. The projective measures should not be considered in isolation. The author concludes projective techniques are not incompatible with…

This two-day conference heard from leaders on national trends in health manpower, with particular emphasis on the granting of equivalency credit for relevant experience. Presentations were made under these areas: opening doors to health careers, national trends in allied health testing, innovative approaches to allied health equivalency testing in…

The context in which higher education admissions tests are used, both intended, validated uses and misuses, are examined. Possible legal problems of misuse are discussed in light of a recent court decision, Sharif v. New York State Education Department. Focus is on three tests: the Scholastic Assessment Test, Graduate Record Examinations, and the…