This auto-instructional unit contains a series of questions and answers about checklists. After the instructional sequence there follows a short mastery test, a list of guest or enrichment activities, and an appendix containing nine checklists relating to six broad curriculum areas. (Author)

This paper attempts to provide practical guidance to those individuals responsible for selecting or developing instruments for assessment programs. The question of what to measure in an assessment program is addressed at a global and a specific level. Once a developer has identified the areas to be assessed, it is necessary to consider the…

Cross-validation in relation to choosing the best tests and selecting the best items in tests is discussed. Cross-validation demonstrated whether a decision derived from one set of data is truly effective when this decision is applied to another independent, but relevant, sample of people. Cross-validation is particularly important after…

Compares several instruments of potential usefulness in assessment of anxiety and depression among pain patients (N=34). Results showed that the SCL-90-R appeared to offer the best combination of relevant data and efficient assessment. However, significant intercorrelations among SCL-90-R subscales suggest a unitary factor structure. (NRB)

A review of Principles of Educational and Psychological Testing (Drydens Press, 1970) (by Frederick G. Brown) and Study Guide to Accompany Principles of Education and Psychological Testing. (DS)

Hillsborough (Florida) County Public Schools used a systematic process to choose a standardized test that matched its curriculum. (Author)

An investigation into the effectiveness of pretesting using a departmental business mathematics test and the ACT mathematics test was conducted at Ferris State College. Both students and faculty seemed to benefit from the decision to use the ACT mathematics score in sectioning the business mathematics course. (CT)

This article presents the results of a factor analysis on the distance education surveys "Is Online Learning Right for Me?" and "What Technical Skills Do I Need?" Both surveys are 15-question, forced response, self-scoring guides that have face validity for individual traits and skills believed to contribute to potential success in an…

A neglected element in designing tests is that of publicness, that is, the extent to which test specifications are understandable and usable by all interested parties. Issues related to content validity, such as test bias and instructional sensitivity, become accessible to these parties once content validity and design have been adequately…

It is commonly proposed that educational and psychological assessments consist of a multifaceted procedure that incorporates scores from a variety of tests and resources. Little guidance has been offered regarding the method for selecting a combination of testing instruments used in an evaluation. The problem of test selection is discussed in the…

The purpose of this reference guide is to enable test consumer to identify published measures which may meet their particular needs. The basic features include notations of whether norm data are reported in the test manual; indexes to "Buro's Mental Measurement Yearbooks" or "Reading Tests and Reviews" for evaluation; complete…

Effective testing appears to be that which is congruent with the mode of instruction. Reading test items aloud does not seem to compensate for poor reading ability of children tested. (Author)

Describes and evaluates the Test of Awareness of Language Segments (TALS), discussing the test administration, scoring, interpretation, reliability, and validity. Recommends TALS for evaluating a child's readiness for reading instruction, and for suggesting appropriate instructional interventions. (MM)

Provides information on how staff members at the Study Skills Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso selected the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI) and administered it to students in the lab; how students react to the KLSI; and how results are interpreted. (DMM)

Compiles information about technical properties from test reviews and manuals and presents information about the nature of test passages, questions, and comprehension skills. (FL)