National Assessment of Educational Progress reading data were scaled using a unidimensional item response theory model. Bock's full-information factor analysis and Rosenbaum's test of unidimensionality were applied. Conclusions about unidimensionality for balanced incomplete block spiralled data were the same as for complete data. (Author/GDC)

Since The Graduate Record Examination-Verbal measures two factors (reading comprehension and discrete verbal ability), the unidimensionality of item response theory is violated. The impact of this violation was examined by comparing three ability estimates: reading, discrete, and all verbal. Both dimensions were highly correlated; the impact was…

An alternative way of studying group differences is proposed based on ordering analysis using item hierarchies as a basis of comparison between two groups. Subjects were sets of twins in elementary school. Results showed that blacks and whites and males and females had similar item hierarchies for complex items. (Author/LMO)

Presents rules for the correct use of the French pronouns "ce" and "il," based on the criterion of discourse coherence and an understanding of the principles underlying the use of demonstrative vs. personal pronouns. (MSE)

A measurement inventory was administered to 357 elementary school teachers in Virginia. Items with which they had the greatest and least difficulty are noted. The 36-item inventory is included. (MNS)

This study utilized a straightforward system of crediting successes and assigning failures to items not administered during computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to determine if the data yielded by CAT could be used to monitor item calibrations over time. (Author/LMO)

This article presents a model that can be used by local school districts for reanalyzing standardized test results to obtain a more valid assessment of local learning objectives can be used to identify strengths/weaknesses of existing programs as well as individual students. (EGS)

Latent class modeling procedures were used in exploratory and confirmatory analyses of the prerequisite relations among five types of text-based inference question tasks for good and poor sixth-grade readers. All tasks types provided separate manifestations of the same underlying attribute for both good and poor readers. (Author/BS)

The purpose of this study was to compare the relative robustness of the one-, two-, and modified two-parameter latent trait logistic models for the Iowa Tests of Educational Development. Results suggest that the modified two-parameter model may provide the best representation of the data. (Author/BW)

Describes a study of the role of confidence in the performance of English as a second language learners on a listening test. Some analytic procedures from the Theory of Signal Detection were applied. Results show the possibility of substantial differences in individual performance in terms of self-monitoring ability and confidence. (Author/SED)

Describes procedure for combining Stanford Achievement Test items with local supplementary items to measure individual and aggregate student performance in mathematics. Two reports are generated from the test results: a diagnostic report of student mastery of each objective and an overall score. (TE)

Given current high-stakes uses of tests, one of the most pressing and difficult problems confronting the field of measurement is to develop better methods for distinguishing between meaningful gains in performance and score inflation. This study explores the potential usefulness of adapting differential item functioning (DIF) techniques for this…

Position adopted in this study was that the underlying structure of what has been thought of as the masculinity-femininity variable is multidimensional, that a more valid description of MF would thus reveal a pattern and not a score. (Authors)

Extraversion-introversion was found to interact with sex and item type, thus necessitating separate conclusions for boys and girls, these in turn being qualified by item type. (Authors)

The findings in the present study show that an understanding of subject matter tends to be more important than the forms which academic interrogation may take. Hence a solution to the problem of cultural bias seems to relate to remedial academic skills. (Author)