Vocational skill assessment of severely mentally retarded adults

The Trainee Performance Sample, a vocational skills assessment instrument, was revised to enhance content validity and utility in making vocational skill learning placements for severely retarded individuals. The Trainee Performance Sample employs a process measurement approach; i.e., each of the 30 test items (a variety of benchwork tasks) includes both training and correction procedures within the item. To some extent, the examinee's ability to benefit from various training strategies is measured. Psychometric analyses demonstrated that the revised Trainee Performance Sample meets standard test development criteria. Thus, a dynamic approach to vocational skills assessment of severely retarded individuals--one that involves training while testing--has been shown to have both utility and psychometric adequacy.