Issues related to the two-stage college entrance examinations used in Turkey are explored. Focus is on the first stage, the selection phase of the examination, rather than on the second stage, the placement phase. Further study is needed of the dimensionality of the test and sources of item bias. (SLD)

This study assessed the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Motivation Assessment Scale as used with 20 adults with mental retardation, expanding the results of previous research by evaluating across additional time and administrations. Results from 19 raters indicated variable moderate-to-low intra-rater and inter-rater reliability.…

Advocate the use of repeated applications of inventories of approaches to learning as an appropriate technique for the evaluation of educational innovations. Presents three case studies that use the Study Process Questionnaire (J. Biggs, 1987) to show how the measure can be used for innovations in naturalistic settings. (SLD)

The dimensionality of the Measure of Ingratiatory Behaviors in Organizational Settings (MIBOS) (K. Kumar and M. Beyerlein, 1991) was studied with data from 203 state government employees. Results do not confirm the factor solution proposed by the measure's creators. Suggestions are offered to improve the psychometric properties of the MIBOS scale.…

The psychometric properties of the Body Esteem Scale (BES) were studied with 255 girls and boys in grades 5 through 12. Internal consistency was found for the gender-specific subscales. Results provide preliminary evidence that the BES may be a psychometrically defensible assessment of body esteem among adolescents. (SLD)

The authors of the "Guidelines," a task force of eight, intend to present an organized list of features to be considered in reporting or evaluating computerized-adaptive assessments. Apart from a few weaknesses, the book is a useful and complete document that will be very helpful to test developers. (SLD)

A preschool screening battery was presented to a sample of 198 children with and without mild learning problems. Cross-sample test validation was demonstrated when 81% of both groups were correctly classified. Interrater reliability of 80% or greater on all but one of the tasks was demonstrated. (Contains references.) (Author/PB)

Discusses three common misconceptions about achievement testing: (1) the idea that men generally outscore women; (2) the notion that the primary role of norms is to compare one student to another; and (3) the misconception that it is not possible to measure the achievement of kindergarten and primary grade students with group tests. (SLD)

Discusses current high-stakes standardized testing policy in response to G. Cizek through analogy with the policies of Chairman Mao in China and the decision to build the Maginot Line in France after World War I. Lessons from these events show that high-stakes policies skew outcomes and present high risk. (SLD)

Although G. Cizek's article balances positive consequences for high-stakes testing against anti-testing criticisms, there is no evidence that high-stakes testing per se has substantial positive consequences. There is, however, optimism that aligned educational systems with testing as a component may lead to higher levels of student achievement.…

Responds to critiques of an earlier article on the unintended consequences of high-stakes testing. Reiterates the need to look for positive as well as negative consequences of high stakes testing and calls for balance between the role of large-scale assessment in identifying achievement deficits and the responsibility educational systems have to…

Responds to five major articles by Duckworth, Goldman, Healy, Sampson, and Goodyear on issues pertaining to testing and assessment in counseling psychology. Proposes a cooperative research program to extend the conclusions from Goodyear's review, and to test the hypotheses behind the recommendations of Duckworth, Goldman, Healy, and Sampson.…

Examined whether Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised and the Slosson Intelligence Test could be used interchangeably for identifying gifted students or if the Slosson should be used as a screening instrument in the process of screening and identification in students (N=38) identified as potentially gifted. Results indicated tests…

The Achievement Anxiety Test's dimensionality was assessed using data from 378 university students. Analyses suggest the viability of a unidimensional construct, whose ability to provide extreme subject groups showing differences on other characteristics of academic achievement was assessed. Such a scale has potential for separating…

Examined internal consistency, construct validity, and content validity of the Ethical Judgment Scale using 61 counseling graduate students. Findings indicated need for a revision of the instrument. (Author/ABL)