Universal design for assessments is an approach to educational assessment based on principles of accessibility for a wide variety of end users. Elements of universal design include inclusive test population; precisely defined constructs; accessible, non-biased items; tests that are amenable to accommodations; simple, clear and intuitive…

This research aimed to investigate the effect of computers on the test and inter-rater reliability of writing test scores of ESL learners. Writing samples of 20 pen-paper and 20 computer group students were scored in analytic scoring method by two scorers, and then the scores were analyzed in Alpha (Cronbach) model. The results showed that the…

Writing fits well within the realm of outcomes suitable for observation by performance assessments. Studies of the reliability of performance assessments have suggested that interrater reliability can be consistently high. Scoring consistency, however, is only one aspect of quality in decisions based on assessment results. Another is…

In England and Wales, a National Curriculum initiated in 1988 was designed to ensure that all schools provided a curriculum which represented different areas of knowledge. The past 20 years has increasingly seen more emphasis on the link between the financial amounts spent on education and subsequent return on this money. The impact of the…

This paper provides evidence for the reliability and validity of the Preventive Coping Resources Inventory (PCRI) instrument designed to measure coping resources useful for prevention based on previous research. It specifically looks at the construct validity of the PCRI; the convergent and discriminate validity of the PCRI with related…

The research literature suggests that the mental health professionals serving lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people may not be prepared to adequately address the unique needs of the population. There is a need to study the factors that influence the degree to which therapists attitudes and behaviors are affirmative toward their gay, lesbian, and…

The study's specific goals were to adapt conventional flow methodology to define and operationalize young children's cognitive strategies exhibited during their participation in adult-guided musical activities; and develop a valid and functional method of assessing young children's musical cognition "in situ" through systematic and…

Ideas about educational assessment are synthesized to construct a Quality Assessment Checklist that can be used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of classroom assessments. Sound assessment begins with clear and appropriate learning targets. Once learning targets have been identified, they need to be matched with appropriate methods.…

Discusses the development and analysis of Raven's Test of Logical Operations which uses the same problem solving rules as Piaget's. Indicates that the test is sensitive to the determination of students' difficulties with specific types of reasoning patterns. (CC)

Argues that from a black perspective, the real concern is not merely that of defining intelligence, about which there is lacking a consensus among psychologists, but one which challenges the basic scientific considerations of validity, reliability, and standardization of intelligence tests. (Author/JM)

The attitudes of 600 second year and fifth year grammar school pupils towards their school subjects were investigated using a repertory grid developed specifically for this purpose. (Editor)

A chart of the major action points in the course of developing tests for training evaluation and for qualifying trainees provides a framework for discussing the problems and practices of test development. Performance standards are the most common sources of trouble; the test developer must have unequivocal standards to work from. (AJ)

In this paper, an attempt has been made to synthesize some of the current thinking in the area of criterion-referenced testing as well as to provide the beginning of an integration of theory and method for such testing. (Editor)

Describes the development and testing of an instrument for use at the eighth grade level to measure four science processes: observation, inference, verification, and classification. Indicates that the two forms of the instrument are average in reliability and high in factor validity. (CC)