The transfer from an early intervention system to a program for a 3-year-old is a critical event that not only brings opportunities but also presents challenges to children and their families. In order to help families handle these transition related issues, professionals should collect authentic data about family concerns, needs, and expectations…

The 2007 reauthorization of Head Start requires Head Start programs to use child assessments and developmental screeners that are developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate, as well as valid and reliable in the language in which they are used. This can be a challenge, since very few child assessment tools are developed or tested…

Nine preschool and school-age language assessment tools found to have acceptable levels of identification accuracy were evaluated to determine their overall levels of psychometric validity for use in diagnosing the presence/absence of language impairment. Eleven specific criteria based on those initially devised by McCauley and Swisher (1984) were…

Background: Evaluating the impact of nutrition interventions on developmental outcomes in developing countries can be challenging since most assessment tests have been produced in and for developed country settings. Such tests may not be valid measures of children's abilities when used in a new context. Aims: We present several principles for the…

Considers both validity and reliability simultaneously in selecting the best short forms (SFs) of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Results indicate that incorporating reliability as a criterion has a dramatic impact on the obtained best SFs. (LLL)

This study considers the problem of deciding when a selection test is invalid for members of a minority group. There is both a strong empirical and theoretical basis for rejecting the choice of zero correlation between test and criterion as an appropriate null hypothesis. (Author)

Cross-validation in relation to choosing the best tests and selecting the best items in tests is discussed. Cross-validation demonstrated whether a decision derived from one set of data is truly effective when this decision is applied to another independent, but relevant, sample of people. Cross-validation is particularly important after…

A neglected element in designing tests is that of publicness, that is, the extent to which test specifications are understandable and usable by all interested parties. Issues related to content validity, such as test bias and instructional sensitivity, become accessible to these parties once content validity and design have been adequately…

Examines the content of the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal exam (1980). Finds the content of this exam defective in a number of areas. Notes that the exam creates confusion and makes basic errors in critical thinking, and therefore, lacks content quality in these areas. Recommends the use of several tests, rather than one. (SG)

The article outlines the physiological and measurement bases for the development of physical fitness tests, raising questions concerning physiological, psychological, and evaluation issues. (Author/CB)

A FOLLOWUP STUDY WAS REPORTED THAT ENLARGED THE SCOPE OF THE AUTHOR'S PREVIOUS STUDY OF THE OPPOSITE-FORM APPROACH USED BY STUDENTS IN TEST AND MEASUREMENT COURSES. THE STUDY HAD THREE PURPOSES--(1) TO INVESTIGATE THE RELIABILITIES OF OPPOSITE-FORM INVENTORIES, (2) TO CROSS VALIDATE OPPOSITE-FORM INVENTORIES, AND (3) TO STUDY THE PATTERNING OF…

Reviews the Sucher-Allred Group Reading Placement, used to determine the instructional reading level for students in grades 2-12. Concludes that the test correlates well with other standard tests and is useful as an informal reading inventory. (RS)

Investigated factor structures of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) for 212 normal children. Findings suggest correspondence between: (1) WISC-R Verbal Comprehension and K-ABC Achievement; (2) WISC-R Perceptual Organization and K-ABC Simultaneous Processing; and (3) WISC-R…

Discusses passage content and style, accessibility of the passages, their completeness, the extent to which the items are passage-dependent, and the extent to which additional knowledge is required to answer the questions on reading comprehension tests and exercises. (TO)