ERIC Number: EJ732109
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 30
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9924
EISSN: N/A
The Challenge of Cross-Cultural Assessment--The Test of Ability to Explain for Zulu-Speaking Children
Solarsh, Barbara; Alant, Erna
Journal of Communication Disorders, v39 n2 p109-138 Mar-Apr 2006
A culturally appropriate test, The Test of Ability To Explain for Zulu-speaking Children (TATE-ZC), was developed to measure verbal problem solving skills of rural, Zulu-speaking, primary school children. Principles of "non-biased" assessment, as well as emic (culture specific) and etic (universal) aspects of intelligence formed the theoretical backdrop. In addition, specific principles relating to test translation; test content; culturally appropriate stimulus material; scoring procedures and test administration were applied. Five categories of abstract thinking skills formed the basis of the TATE-ZC. These were: (a) Explaining Inferences, (b) Determining Cause, (c) Negative Why Questions, (d) Determining Solutions and (e) Avoiding Problem. The process of test development underwent three pilot studies. Results indicate that the TATE-ZC is a reliable and valid test for the target population. A critical analysis of the efficacy of creating a test of verbal reasoning for children from the developing world concludes the article. Learning outcomes: As a result of this activity (1) the participant will have a clearer understanding of the principles that need to be followed when developing culturally appropriate test material; (2) the participant will understand the process of developing culturally appropriate test material for non-mainstream cultures; (3) the participant will be able to apply the process and principles to other cross-cultural testing situations.
Descriptors: African Languages, Elementary School Students, Culture Fair Tests, Cultural Relevance, Thinking Skills, Abstract Reasoning, Verbal Tests, Translation, Test Content, Scoring, Testing, Criticism
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A