Reviews a 20-year program of research on motivation and test performance, concluding that test anxiety and test-taking skill deficits are distorting factors in efforts to test student aptitude, achievement, and competency. (FL)

The various costs of Type I and Type II errors of inference from data are discussed. Six methods for minimizing each error type are presented, which may be employed even after data collection for Type I and which minimizes Type II errors by a study design and analytical means combination. (Author/CM)

A model is presented using examinee judgements in detecting ambiguous/misinterpreted items on teacher-made criterion-referenced tests. A computational example and guidelines for constructing domain categories and interpreting the indices are presented. (Author/PN)

Recent empirical evidence for the influence of examiner's race on examinee's performance on intelligence tests is reviewed. The current literature, 1966 through 1980, offers little support for the hypothesis that examiner's race has a systematic effect on examinee's performance on intelligence tests. Conceptual and methodological issues are…

Obtained normative data from 305 children on a Coding Recall Measure adapted from the WISC-R. Although coding recall has face validity as a visual memory measure, there are some contradictions to such clinical use in view of possible lack of representativeness of the sample and limited reliability and validity. (Author/JAC)

Investigates the relationship between academic intrinsic motivation and anxiety when these variables are differentiated into academic subject areas. Results showed fourth and seventh graders differed in the pattern of relationships. Results clearly show academic intrinsic motivation and anxiety are negatively related and differentiated according…

While some forms of test bias (for example, bias in selection and prediction) appear amenable to definitional consensus, a definition of cultural bias will remain problematic so long as it is confused with the nature/nurture issue. (Author/BW)

The generalizability of norms and concurrent validity of the Adaptive Behavior Inventory for Children (ABIC) was investigated with samples of 482 first-, third-, and fifth-grade children stratified by sociocultural group (White, Black, Hispanic, and Native American Papago). (Author)

The practical problems of constructing and using culture fair intelligence tests cannot be solved without a thorough theoretical analysis of research findings on cultural differences and on structures and definitions of intelligence, especially the concepts of fluid and crystallized intelligence. Part of a theme issue on intelligence. (Author/SJL)

Three trends in adaptive behavior measurement are noted: (1) an awareness of the paucity of suitable scales; (2) sensitivity to the effects of adaptive behavior in the declassification of students previously labeled under outdated procedures; and (3) the use of measures for identification and intervention with emotionally disturbed students.…

Observes that the improvement of reading scores is not a legitimate educational goal, notes that reading abilities are inseparable from other modes of linguistic expression, and proposes many types of activities for teaching language in a context involving increasing knowledge of the uses of language in different subjects. (GT)

Criticizes the revised examination for the English Certificate, Oral Section, on these points: validity and reliability of the examination forms, and claims of authenticity, range, and accuracy in evaluation of language competence in the section called "Everyday Situations." (IFS/WGA)

Procedures used to verify and validate the translation of tests, questionnaires, and other paper-and-pencil measurement devices for cross-cultural use are discussed. Recommendations are suggested for improving translation efforts. (MH)

While the practice of students evaluating their instructors has become common in many institutions of higher learning, and properly so, care should be taken that instructors who use both objective and subjective formats in their classroom testing not be disadvantaged as a result of this. (Author)

In this study, over 100 teachers completed open-ended surveys on how they prepare students for the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills and the test's effects on students, teachers, and schools. High-stakes testing has become the object rather than the measure of teaching and learning, negatively affecting curriculum, teacher decision making,…