The purpose of this paper is to compare the utility of the information yielded by the classical and latent trait psychometric models when they are used to examine the psychometric qualities of an instrument designed to assess school-related stress. The instrument, known as the School Situation Survey (SSS), is described, and efforts to determine its content and construct validity and alpha reliability are discussed. The SSS is a 34-item attitude instrument that assesses four sources and three manifestations of school-related stress for students in grades 3 through 12. Sources of stress include teacher and peer interactions, academic stressors and academic self-concept, while manifestations include emotional, behavioral, and physiological signs. Application of the Rasch latent trait model and classical psychometrics to instrument analysis indicate that while the use of classical techniques assists in the instrument development process, classical manipulations have shortcomings. However, content validation of this sort of instrument should be informed by the principles of latent trait theory. Eight data tables are included. (TJH)