Results of field testing for reliability and validity the Generalizable Mathematics Skills Student Self-Ratings (SSR), Teacher Ratings (TR), and Performance Test (PT) assessment instruments with 138 handicapped secondary students in vocational programs and their vocational teachers (N=5) found sufficient content and face validity and relatively…

The reliability and factorial validity of the Self Concept as a Learner Scale was studied, using 12-year-old Anglo-Australians. Reliability was acceptable for total scale and three subscales (task orientation, problem solving, and class membership), but not motivation. The validity of the factorial subscales was not confirmed. (GDC)

The construct validity and reliability of the Porter Needs Satisfaction Questionnaire (adapted) for educators were examined. Results did not support its use as suggested by Porter. Suggestions for its revision and alternate use are presented. (Author/GDC)

Contends that erroneous conclusions concerning intraindividual strengths may result when comparing scaled scores on subtests of The Test of Reading Comprehension. Examination of scaled scores may seem to indicate that a given student has performed better on one subtest than on another when the difference between the two scores is not statistically…

Reports on the development of a 19-item, Likert-type instrument that measures the attitudes of preservice and inservice teachers toward energy conservation. Focuses on the nine-step process used in developing the instrument. (JN)

Reviews the Stanford Writing Assessment Program that has three intended uses: district-wide survey of students' writing ability, diagnosis of classroom or district-wide instructional strengths and weaknesses, and staff development through training for administering and scoring of writing samples. Notes that of these uses, none is necessarily best…

Stresses the importance of devising accurate methods of evaluation rather than teaching material only because it can be easily evaluated. (DF)

Concludes that the reviewed test, which is designed to assess mathematics, reading, spelling, and writing abilities in students from first grade through post high school, is limited in usefulness for older students. (FL)

The purpose of this study was to provide cross-cultural validation evidence about the factorial structure, reliability, and correlates of the Attitudes Toward Mainstreaming Scale for samples of education students, teachers-in-training, and elementary school teachers in New Zealand. (Author/PN)

Recent changes in the objectives and techniques of testing India's university students are examined, including trends toward continuous rather than biennial or annual evaluation; internal (institutional) rather than external, standardized examinations; replacement of essay exams with more objective methods; and a letter grading system. (MSE)

Discusses the problems associated with "grading on a curve," the approach often used for standard setting on language proficiency tests. Proposes four main steps presented in the setting of a non-arbitrary cut-score. These steps not only establish a proficiency standard checked by external criteria, but also check to see that the test covers the…

The author argues that scoring, reporting, and deriving final grades can be considerably assisted by using a computer. He also contends that the savings in time and the computer database formed will allow instructors to determine test quality and reflect on the quality of instruction. (BW)

"Listening Recall" is a listening comprehension test which discriminates over a wide range of proficiency. Unlike traditional tests, requiring multiple choice responses, it is a listening cloze procedure; a narrative passage accompanied by a written version with deletions. Particularly suited to low proficiency learners, test has high…

Defends the use of multiple-choice language tests against Pickering's criticism in a previous issue of this journal. (CHK)

Several methods for estimating item response theory scores for multiple subtests were compared. These methods included two multidimensional item response theory models: a bi-factor model where each subtest was a composite score based on the primary trait measured by the set of tests and a secondary trait measured by the individual subtest, and a…