The Opinion Attitude and Interest Survey (OAIS), a multi-dimensional personality and interest inventory, provides 14 scales which furnish information pertinent to the admission and counseling of college bound students. The validity of the Academic Promise Scales and two of the Psychological Adjustment Scales was investigated, as was the…

This review summarizes the major criticisms of standardized tests and testing and attempts an evaluation of the validity of the criticisms. Viewed in the context of type of test, manner of its use, and assumptions regarding its validity, the paper discusses: (1) the imperfect-prediction problem, where predictions of performance are invalidated by…

This is a selected compilation of 47 items relating to criticisms of tests and testing. The items cover the period of ten years immediately preceding the year 1966 and are held to be scholarly writings almost without exception. The books and articles listed carry extensive annotations and focus on the following aspects of tests and testing:…

It has been hypothesized that personality needs have a significant impact upon eventual occupational placement. The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) was designed to provide researchers in Career development with a quick and convenient measure of a number of relatively independent personality variables, or needs. It gauges 15 such needs…

In Piaget's developmental psychology the fourth and highest stage of human cognitive development is that of formal operations. The research on formal thought instruments is outlined. This study was designed to construct and validate paper-and-pencil instruments which could be used to select students capable of abstract conceptualization,…

The paper contains a discussion of the modification of Rotter's Internal External Scale into the three scales of Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance orientations. The tripartite, multidimensional view of locus of control was developed because the validity and usefulness of Rotter's lumping expectancies of fate, chance, and powerful others…

This publication, the first of two volumes, describes the cognitive, psychomotor, and socioemotional measures used in all years of the Head Start Planned Variation Evaluation. Part I discusses generally the issues involved in evaluating the quality of the data, and summarizes findings. Part II contains technical reports on 12 of the individual…

Annotations of tests measuring motor development, cognitive growth, intelligence, mental health, social maturity, and concept attainment in infants from birth to 24 months of age are presented. Information is given concerning test purpose; intended groups; test subdivisions or tested skills, behaviors, or competencies; administration; scoring;…

A nontechnical approach to statistics is presented. The examples and illustrations have been drawn from the classroom and the needs of teachers who wish to measure and understand the progress of their pupils. The areas covered include the following topics: (1) different forms of average, middle value, dispersion of data around the average, and the…

A comparison is drawn between norm-referenced (or competitive) and criterion-referenced testing procedures as used for the purpose of assessing and grading knowledge gained from teaching. It is argued that competitive or norm-referenced grading practices are sadistic, unethical, statistically unsound, and irrelevant to course objectives.…

Materials intended for driving knowledge test development use by operational licensing and education agencies were prepared. Candidate test items were developed, using literature and operational practice sources, to reflect current state-of-knowledge with respect to principles of safe, efficient driving, to legal regulations, and to traffic…

The sample for the 1975 field test of the Barber Scales of Self-Regard for Preschool Children came from Episcopal schools distributed widely by geographical area. The instrumentation included, besides the self-regard scales, the Self-Concept and Motivation Inventory and the Minnesota Personality Profile II, plus a demographic questionnaire. The…

The Psychoeducational Profile (PEP) offers a developmental approach to the assessment of autistic and psychotic children as well as children with related learning disabilities. Scores obtained are used in the planning of individualized special educational programs for these children. Most appropriately used with children functioning at a preschool…

Technical advances of the last 15 years in measurement theory and practice are described, notably criterion-referenced testing, item response theory, and computers and testing. Several remaining problems concerning the development and validation of credentialing examinations are also considered. (Author/LMO)

Provides guidelines for teachers writing machine-scored examinations. Explains the use of item analysis (discrimination index) to single test items that should be improved or eliminated. Discusses validity and reliability of classroom achievement tests in contrast to norm-referenced examinations. (JHZ)