This study was designed to determine whether an unweighted linear combination of community college students' scores on standardized achievement tests and a measure of motivational constructs derived from Vroom's expectance theory model of motivation was predictive of academic success (grade point average earned during one quarter of an academic…

The purpose of this study was to use multivariate techniques in a federally-regulated validation study, and compare the results obtained from zero-order correlations and multiple correlations with the results obtained using factor scores and canonical correlation. The subjects consisted of 51 applicants for the position of patrolman. (Author/CTM)

The behavioral development of rural Guatemalan infants was assessed shortly after birth on a Neonatal Assessment Scale (NAS) and at 6-, 15-, and 24-months-of-age on a Composite Infant Scale (CIS). Summary variables based on NAS performance poorly predicted later assessed performance even as recently as six months after birth. The CIS modestly…

Describes the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, which is used to assess infants' competence in organizing their states of consciousness, interactive capacities, physiological responses, and environmental responsiveness. Various projects which have used the scale are reported. The predictive value and clinical uses of the scale are…

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) Comprehension, Arithmetic, and Object Assembly and McCarthy Quantitative and Memory Indices were most sensitive to learning disabled students' achievement. Conversely, the WISC-R Similarities and Arithmetic and the McCarthy Verbal Index were most sensitive to achievement of nonlearning…

This study examined the predictive validity of the 18 scales of the California Psychological Inventory and two scales of the Opinion Scale relative to success criteria in graduate school as measured by grades in individual courses, performance on the master's comprehensive examinations and graduate grade-point average. (Author/CTM)

In a study of elementary students, the relationship between the Matching Familiar Figures (MFF) and social and emotional adjustment were higher than correlations between MFF and achievement. Suggests MFF performance is related more to adjustment than achievement. Latency in MFF scores did not predict achievement or adjustment. (Author/JAC)

Computer-based Monte Carlo methods compared the predictive accuracy upon replication of regression of five complete and four incomplete factor score estimation methods. Prediction on incomplete factor scores showed better double cross-validated prediction accuracy than on complete scores. The unique unit-weighted factor score was superior among…

A study to find valid indicators of the long-run effects of Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 (CETA) manpower programs that would meet prime sponsors' needs for short-term feedback indicated that the proxies being used were not strongly correlated with success in CETA programs. (MF)

For a sample of masters in education students, a moderate correlation was found between Graduate Record Examinations aptitude test scores and graduate grade point average. Results are discussed and conclusions are drawn. (JKS)

The validity of the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Verbal and Math scores as predictors of college freshmen's grade point average was examined on a sample of college freshmen and then cross-validated on a separate sample of freshmen law and justice students. Correlations were low to moderate. (JKS)

Presents results of an investigation into the test-retest reliability of the short form of the Modern Language Aptitude Test, with Canadian samples. (AM)

Compares the Bond and Tinker, and the Harris reading expectancy formulas, using 113 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Finds that the use of both formulas is desirable in clinical situations, but that the Harris formula is preferable if gains on standardized tests are the only criteria of success. (RL)

Argues that tests have always been used as a means of political and social control. Maintains that test results are unreliable, especially at the extremes, that their predictive power is weak and that language testers need to be skeptical and need to insist on complete information on candidates' backgrounds for selection decision making. (10…