The predictive accuracy of the newly developed actuarial risk measures Risk Matrix 2000 Sexual/Violence (RMS, RMV) were cross validated and compared with two risk assessment measures (SVR-20 and Static-99) in a sample of sexual (n = 85) and nonsex violent (n = 46) offenders. The sexual offense reconviction rate for the sex offender group was 18%…

In this technical report, data are presented on the predictive and concurrent relation between various student demographic variables (gender, race/ethnicity, special education status, Title 1 status, English language learning status, and economic disadvantage) and three reading easyCBMs (passage reading fluency, vocabulary, and multiple-choice…

An overview of national and international research on school effectiveness is provided in this paper. Following an introduction, the first section examines some national studies, with a focus on the differences in empirical evidence for effective school factors. These studies are similar in that they are outcome-oriented, seek factors of school…

A didactic example is provided, using a Monte Carlo method, of how differential item functioning (DIF) can be eliminated (and thus better understood) when the complete latent space is used. The main source of DIF is that the matching single criterion used in some DIF procedures, Mantel Haenszel or Simultaneous Item Bias (SIBTEST), does not account…

This paper discusses two techniques for improving the predictive validity of personality measures: (1) measuring dispositional levels of private self-consciousness, that is, one's tendency to habitually reflect on covert aspects of the self such as thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and motives; and (2) priming trait-relevant knowledge (temporarily…

A wide variety of potential indicators of graduate student performance are reviewed. Based on research literature, experience with recent and current research projects, and conversations with graduate faculty members and administrators, the various indicators are considered in two ways. First, they are analyzed within the framework of the…

The paper describes how five indicators were developed to measure the comparative degree of commitment of a group of community colleges to their vocational-technical areas. The criteria of a "good" measure are developed, the findings of a pilot study are displayed, the indicators critiqued, and alternatives suggested. (Author)

A statistical comparison of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for predicting first semester grade point averages (GPA) for beginning freshmen at Brigham Young University, when used with a high school GPA as a fixed independent variable, showed little or no difference. Other comparisons were by sex and geographic area.…

High School GPA and Scholastic Aptitude Test V and M scales were used to predict college GPA for Mexican-American and Anglo-American college students. Results indicated that regression systems were essentially parallel for both groups, with virtually no difference in intercepts, though prediction of Anglo GPA appeared slightly more accurate.…

This study examines the relationship of clerical workers' ability level, as measured by the School and College Ability Test, and measures of employee satisfactoriness and job satisfaction. Ability level was not related to satisfactoriness, but was inversely related to job satisfaction. (SJL)

It was predicted that orals selected by the Blacky Pictures would report a similar amount of movement of a light as an authority figure when viewing the autokinetic phenomenon in his presence, while anals would remain independent of his influence or would even respond oppositionally. (Author)

In the prediction of black student success in higher education, there is a need to go beyond currently used predictors and criteria. The Cultural Study Center at the University of Maryland has begun a systematic effort to examine the utility of present predictors (e.g. SAT scores, high school grades), explore other available variables for use as…

Each year large numbers of children experience academic failure during the first 3 years of their public school involvement. Many studies have been done using demographic and norm-referenced tests to try to identify at-risk-for-failure youngsters either at the preschool level or early during their school experience. Most attempts have been costly…

A longitudinal study determined if children's invented spelling served as a viable predictor of reading achievement and compared the predictive value of assessing children's invented spelling relative to other notable predictors, such as letter names, letter sounds, a concept of a word, and phonemic awareness. Subjects, 52 kindergarten children…