Sex-identification interference in the audio-visual measurement of language achievement

This responses of 65 Portuguese-as-a-second-language (PSL) and 178 English-as-a-second-language (ESL) children in early grades to an audiovisually administered aural comprehension test were analyzed for distortions attributable to sex identification with puppets used in the test items. PSL children exhibited significantly more identifications with their same-sex models when opposite-sex models offered correct responses, but significant results were not obtained for ESL children. It was recommended that, beyond concern for sex imbalances in tests, test items not be constructed to include choices between opposite-sex models.