Given the number and variety of components underlying performance in two clusters of tests, i.e., embedded-figures and adjustment tests, an understanding of the high-order construct field dependence and of its relationship to other cognitive, personality, and performance dimensions requires the execution of comprehensive studies. (Author)

The author presents intelligence and learning as theoretically and empirically separate concepts. Examining Spearman's "g" factor and the evolution, phylogeny and psychometrics of intelligence, he concludes that "g" is of dominant importance in scholastic learning. He notes some implications for equal educational opportunity.…

Examines assumptions and premises of standardized tests of mental ability and reviews extant theories and research on intellectual functioning of children from culturally different backgrounds. Discusses implications of these issues and perspectives for new directions for intellectual assessment for children from culturally different backgrounds.…

Discusses the effects of schooling on the development of intelligence in children and how the amount of schooling should be considered when developing norms for turning intelligence test performance into IQ scores. Suggests that because of differences in schooling among same-age children, use of age-based norms results in biased deviation IQS.…

The campaign against testing is a good place to reflect on the legacy of Brian Simon and to ask how far his politics and his professional life came together in what he himself called 'Education as a site of struggle'. History of education can be a critical discourse enabling reflection on the effects of policy and practice and the history of…

Past and present trends in cognitive assessment in the USSR should be viewed within the context of Soviet psychology and Soviet developmental theories. This theoretical framework views cognitive abilities as an integral part of socio-cultural evolution. Pedology emerged as a strong movement in the 1920's. Its stated purpose was to identify and…

Three new tests presented as alternatives to the Wechsler tests for children were described in earlier papers of this session. This discussion reviews the earlier papers and comments on the developed tests: (1) the Woodcock-Johnson test; (2) the new Stanford-Binet; and (3) the K-ABC. The Woodcock-Johnson battery, state-of-the-art applications of…

The assessment of mental ability in Chicago Public Schools has been changed. The changes are because of the disproportionate number of Black children who were assigned to mentally handicapped classes. Placement decisions are now made by multidisciplinary panels which consider the total child not just the outcomes of prior learning. (VM)

Use of conventional standardized intelligence tests to identify gifted students presents problems with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Assessment of learning ability (in particular the method of "test, teach, and test") may be a better method for identifying gifted students. Tests being used in Israel and Great Britain are…

Persons representing the extremes of intelligence cannot be included in the same study unless they are approximately equated on mental age, in which case the relative performances of the extreme groups can provide useful information about the nature of intelligence. (Author/RD)

The authors review problems associated with currently practiced matrix methods of identifying gifted students, describe an aggregation method utilizing a statistical approach involving standard scores, and relate the method to specific program examples. (SB)

Proposes a grouping of subtests corresponding to the three-factor pattern of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and its revised form, WISC-R, for use with children with reading difficulties. (FL)

Examines conceptions of political influences on education in "Schooling in Capitalist America" (Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis, 1976) and "Deschooling Society" (Ivan Illich, 1971). Reviews also Bowles and Gintis' treatment of the social function of intelligence, social change, and genetic versus environmental determinants of…

The Blind Learning Aptitude Test (BLAT), an individual test, is described. Distinction is made between product and process sampling in testing for learning aptitude. Standardized upon 961 educationally blind children, it has high reliability; and its validity, particularly with respect to the more complex school learnings, is clearly indicated.…

Reviews research on ability testing for adults with visual impairments, especially the tests used for vocational assessment and counseling. The verbal scales of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised were found to be widely accepted. The problems, however, with relying solely on verbal assessment are addressed, and the need for tests for…