Presents data from studies designed to determine the psychometric properties of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Subjects included 294 school children and 269 children who were psychiatric inpatients. Results showed the CDI can distinguish children with emotional distress from normal school children. (BH)

Discusses the uses and limitations of a test designed to identify that reading disabled subgroup whose principal deficit is in the ability to deal with visual stimuli holistically. (AEA)

This article disputes psychological test results from the 1920s that indicated low performance by Blacks. Inaccurate experimental research procedures and conclusions of tests are observed. Cultural determinants, heredity, and influence of test instruments on data are examined. (DF)

The relationship between seriation tasks and number line comprehension tasks is reported. Types of tasks administered were six seriation tasks derived from Piaget, six seriation tasks provided with irrelevant cues, and number line comprehension tasks. Stochastic Mokken scale analysis indicated selection of six original seriation tasks formed a…

The Standardized Test of Essential Writing Skills (STEWS) has been developed as a valid and reliable means of assessing expository writing skill. Studies concerning the reliability and validity of the STEWS are presented and their implications for use of the STEWS are discussed. (Author/DWH)

Developed three measures of clinical group benefits and presented empirical evidence (N=27) explicating the logic of the Interpersonal Relations Scale as an assessment device. Conceptualized the benefits of clinical groups as the fostering of intimacy skills by which group members learn about themselves, others, and their interpersonal…

Investigated the reliability of the McCarthy Screening Test (MST) from a criterion-referenced standpoint, using a sample of 1,323 children. Suggested that dependability indices be adopted for clinical instruments such as the MST. (JAC)

Given known item parameters for a test, unbiased estimators are derived for an examinee's ability parameter, his or her proportion correct true score for the variances of these parameters and for the parallel forms reliability of the maximum likelihood estimator of the ability parameter. (Author/JKS)

In an attempt to evaluate the psychometric credibility of the Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFFT) as the operational measure of reflection-impulsivity, a study of the short-term (1 week) reliability of different versions of MFFT for boys and girls at kindergarten, second, and fifth grades was conducted. (Author/SB)

Study compares performance on MMPI Mini-Mult inventory of black versus white juvenile delinquents of similar socioeconomic level, family background, grade level, and I.Q. The fact that there were no significant differences along racial lines indicates "that (this test) can be used to assess personality characteristics of both racial groups…

Declining test scores have been a major cause for concern in the past year. Describes the decline and explores some possible causes. (Editor/RK)

The problems of evaluating educational programs for the gifted outlined here are: dealing with "higher level" objectives, the development of appropriate measurement devices, and the availability of time, money, and personnel. The Key Features Evaluation System, in four steps, is described. (BW)

A criticism is made of traditional means of measuring student performance in classics, based on research which has accumulated on assessment in classics and in related subjects. (RM)

This manual describes development and use of the revised "Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students" (SRBCSS-R), a teacher judgment instrument appropriate for use as one measure in the identification of gifted students. Part 1 explains the judgmental and empirical procedures used to revise the items on the original…

Item writing is a major responsibility of trainers. Too often, qualified staff who prepare lessons carefully and teach conscientiously use inadequate tests that do not validly reflect the true level of trainee achievement. This monograph describes techniques for constructing multiple-choice items that measure student performance accurately. It…