Examines reliability of seven mathematical abilities tests among Spanish- and English-speaking pre-algebra Hispanic students. Students tested in divergent thinking, general reasoning, field-dependence, math achievement, math prose reading, syllogistic reasoning, and word problems. All tests reliable for Spanish speakers; only four for…

Describes five propositions concerning classroom assessment. Uses propositions to review seven conference papers. Propositions refer to the following: nature of achievement; student information necessary to interpret assessments; tension between need to describe and need to praise; distinction between formal and informal assessment; and need for…

Examines the legitimacy of concern with the disproportionate distribution of false negatives and positives in job screening through imperfectly predictive tests. Argues that false negatives should pose problems for meritocrats concerned with individual over group rights, and that result-oriented quotas must be differentiated from screening with…

A study examined preferences of students in teacher education for male and female teachers and for teacher work experience, as an indication of the validity of student evaluations of teachers. Reacting to descriptions of hypothetical teaching situations, students preferred male teachers and teachers with public school experience. (MSE)

Analysis of an instrument for assessing workers' beliefs about parents of children receiving mental health-related services identified five factors: parent blame, giving information, parent validation, use of psychotropic medications, and parent instruction. Differences in beliefs were revealed among workers who endorsed psychodynamic, family…

On the premise that the value of a test relates to its uses, this article argues that tests should correspond to teachers' methods, objectives, and materials. A distinction is drawn between classroom and standardized testing, and three criteria for testing are offered. (LR)

Discusses the evaluation of second and foreign language programs, focusing on whether such evaluations should be summative or formative; use outside experts or program staff; emphasize qualitative or quantitative data; and concentrate on the process or the product. An annotated bibliography discusses six important works in the field. (78…

Addresses the validity of the Cognitive-Affective Response Test-Music by clarifying the theoretical assertions on which the construct validity of the instrument rests. Presents nine specific assertions and data from two studies. Concludes that the test is valid for college-bound high school students. (CFR)

The Teacher Prediction of Peer-Nominated Aggression, an alternative assessment of aggressive disposition in children, was evaluated with 82 boys and 92 girls in grades 2 through 5. The measure is highly reliable and valid and is a better measure than teacher checklist ratings of aggression. (SLD)

Test modifications and techniques that teachers can employ to adapt their tests to meet individualized needs of mainstreamed students with disabilities are considered. Suggestions are offered to assist special education teachers in helping general educators design tests; address test reliability, validity, content, and format; and develop…

The Test of Reactions and Adaptation in College (TRAC), a measure of students' personal dispositions toward learning, is presented. Results from 2 different samples of college students (n=1,081) indicate acceptable psychometric characteristics for the TRAC. The TRAC predicted college success better than high school weighted academic average did.…

Presents results of a study developing an informal social skills teacher rating scale for use with early adolescents. Reports that the scale includes skill identification and situational analysis. Provides information on identifying and ranking responses and checking a content validity and reliability. Concludes that the matrix can generate…

Reports on the development and testing of the Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale. Three subscales were derived from factor analysis. The validity of the conflict subscale was supported by parent reports of conflict. The threat and self-blame subscales correlated with children's responses to conflict vignettes. (BC)

Describes recent efforts of the Center for Research in Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing (CRESST) to evaluate authentic assessment methods, such as portfolios and performance tests. When comparing the merits of authentic versus multiple-choice testing, it is wise to consider validity, reliability, consequences, fairness, generalization,…

The Competence Enjoyment Scale (CES) was developed to measure parental feelings of competence and enjoyment as they interact with their infants. Mothers of 60 full-term healthy, preterm healthy, and preterm atypical infants were administered the CES to evaluate the instrument. Preliminary results support the reliability and validity of the scale.…