Discusses the problems of readers' different responses to essay test passages and the implications for the subsequent writing assignment. Describes a model of the writing assessment episode and discusses four generalizations about writing task interpretation. (HTH)

Discusses a study of the reliability of a categorical instrument for evaluating compositions written by upper intermediate university English as a second language students. The instrument tests organization, logical development of ideas, grammar, mechanics, and style. Results indicate that the scoring instrument is moderately reliable. (SED)

The intraclass reliability of an oral examination administered during a clinical clerkship was analyzed in three ways: by traditional estimation, by faculty evaluation of taped examinations, and with use of a new evaluation form. A noticeable increase in reliability was found with the new form's use. (MSE)

Factor analyzed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised for both upper- and lower-socioeconomic-status classifications from the standardization sample (N=2,200). Results showed that the three-factor solution was most appropriate for both groups and that factor structure appeared to be invariant with regard to socioeconomic status.…

A study determining that a single test incorporating several special features can adequately place and evaluate native speakers and nonnative learners of Spanish is described. The description of native speaker proficiency is also refined. (MSE)

Describes the development and validation of an instrument to test the biology-related attitudes of science students in grades 10-12 in Indonesia. Validation procedures included use of latent partition analysis to examine the conceptual structure of the instrument. (Author/JN)

Three types of test were compared: a completion test, a matching test, and a multiple-choice test. The completion test was more reliable than the matching test, and the matching test was more reliable than the multiple-choice test. (Author/BW)

Details the development of a multidimensional measure of students' satisfaction with their college experience. The eight scale dimensions of the College Descriptive Index were found to be generally independent and displayed acceptable levels of reliability. A moderate degree of construct validity was also found. (Author/JAC)

Bipolar adjective rating scales were constructed to evaluate selected needs from Murray's theory of personality. Internal consistency estimates of the bipolar adjective measures compared favorably to those of the Personality Research Form scales. Results suggest that certain personality traits are more amenable to valid measurement by bipolar…

The results of this study of the factorial validity of the Bias in Attitudes Survey (BIAS) suggest the the BIAS in relation to other sex-role scales is measuring more complete and complex attitudes toward sex roles. Two factors represented both the traditional view of male/female roles and a nonsexist view. (Author/BW)

Discusses Johnson's decision-making theory that information can be gathered in a systematic or spontaneous manner and analyzed either externally or internally. Applies the theory to the helping relationship, assesses the styles of a decision-making inventory, and attempts to determine the reliability and validity of the inventory. (JAC)

Explores the potential for using computers in the diagnosis of learning disabilities. Describes a prototype computer based system designed to assist teachers in the assessment of reading difficulties. (FL)

Examined the degree of temporal stability of the PPVT-R for 56 Native-American, Mexican-American, and Anglo-American kindergarten children. In addition, stability was examined for home language groups. Results indicated that strong temporal stability existed over an eight-month period for all students. (JAC)

Rehabilitation clients completed the Mini-Mult Test. Their responses were factor analyzed and reduced to four factors using Cattell's Screen Test. The first three factors replicated those found in previous research while the fourth had no parallel. The first three factors were retained as subscales. (NG)

The researchers used experimental and control groups to compare the rankings of selected stereotypes by 67 male and 124 female college freshmen for the occupational representatives of Holland's six personality and occupational types. (Author)