The author discusses issues in the development of admissions tests by home study schools. He covers the construction of tests, emphasizing (1) consistency, (2) validity, and (3) normative data sampling. (CH)

Outlines the procedures involved in the construction of the Canadian version of the Life Roles Inventory-Values Scale (Canadian Work Importance Study, 1986), developed in both French and English. Describes studies of the reliability (internal consistency, test-retest, and alternate form), and validity (construct, convergent, discriminant, and…

Describes and compares two self-report measures of family competence: the Family Awareness Scales (FAS) (Green and Kolevzon, late 1970s) and the Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI) (Beavers, 1983). Discusses reliability and validity. Their focus on the "insider" (family member) is different from the traditional examination of family…

Reviews the Diagnostic Achievement Test for Adolescents (DATA), a test designed to be individually administered to estimate student achievement (for ages 12 to 18) in a variety of academic areas. Concludes that the test is well constructed and easy to use. (SKC)

Discusses aspects of psychological testing as a job screening tool. Examines sampling errors, cumulative effect of bad tests, measurement of specific personality traits, test standards, using tests correctly, test validity, cut-off policies, demographic questions, and practical tips for taking such tests. (CT)

An Attitudes-Toward-Computer Usage Scale (ATCUS) was developed in two studies: (1) 40 items were administered to 365 undergraduate students to assess attitudes toward the use of computers; (2) based on factor analysis results, the scale was reduced to 20 items and administered to 351 undergraduates. Results show the ATCUS to be a reliable…

Examined stability of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for 53 at-risk preschool children. Over 9 months the stability coefficients for the global scales ranged from .78 to .88, and for the subtests from .65 to .79. Concluded that scores display adequate stability, but the Simultaneous scale is less stable than the Sequential or Achievement scales.…

Examined whether a more theoretically consistent version of the Cognitive Differentiation Grid (CDG) would yield results different from the currently used CDG. Found that college students (N=84) using their own constructs evidenced greater vocational differentiation than did those using the CDG and that males evidenced greater vocational…

A comprehensive assessment of children with Attention Deficit Disorder should include use of teacher rating scales. Rater biases, positive and negative halo effects, practice effects, and other problems are outweighed by the ease of use, low cost, and reasonable reliability and validity of teacher rating scales. (Author/DB)

The reliability, long-term stability, and generalizability of student ratings of teacher effectiveness are discussed. The Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) instrument is examined from these perspectives. The multidimensionality of student response to such evaluation instruments must be recognized. (SLD)

A paradigm is described for studying the applicability of two North American instruments (the Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality and Frey's Endeavor) to other countries. Factor analyses of studies in Australia, Spain, and Papua New Guinea support the generality of the instruments' factors to the educational contexts of other countries.…

Concludes that the instrument reviewed is a carefully designed test incorporating a new interpretation of standardization and improved definitions of traditional reading levels. (FL)

Each of the many methods or approaches to assessing student learning is based on a clear understanding of validity, reliability, course objectives, the advantages and disadvantages of different evaluation formats, and the ways assessment data will be used to improve instruction. (Author/MSE)

Investigated certain measurement properties of the Ethical Judgment Scale. Results revealed findings of questionable validity and unacceptably low reliability for the instrument even though three different scoring methods were used in the analysis. (Author)

Examined internal structure of a modified version of the Gross Cohesiveness Scale (GCS) to determine factors involved in group cohesiveness as measured by the GCS. Performed Pearson product-moment correlations, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. Found two separate and distinct factors: affective and cognitive, both aspects of social cohesion.…