Commentary on Personality Assessment in the Schools: The Special Issue

Abstract

A commentary was offered on the Special Issues of the School Psychology Review devoted to personality assessment in the schools. After consideration of the restraints inherent in the public schools, the emphasis on subjective, less well standardized measures was seen as a weakness of these issues. The utility of structured interviews and personality inventories was briefly examined, in light of continued sophistication in diagnostic criteria. The importance of integrating cognitive and personality/behavior information in child assessment was emphasized. Balance of content and lack of an appreciation for readers' prior knowledge were seen to compromise the objectives of these special issues.