Author Biographies; Preface; SECTION ONE: THE UTILITY OF RASCH MEASUREMENT FOR THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT; 1 The Utility of Rasch Measurement for Learning Environments Research Robert F. Cavanagh (Curtin University of Technology) and Russell F. Waugh (Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia); SECTION TWO: ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT; 2. High Stakes State-Wide Testing of the Learning Environment Outcomes: The Case of Numeracy Jessica M. Elderfield and Russell F. Waugh (Faculty of Education and Arts, Edith Cowan University); 3. A Rasch Analysis of the Astronaut Invented Spelling Test: The Early Literacy Learning Environment for Young Children Roslyn Neilson (University of Wollongong), Russell F. Waugh and Deslea Konza (Faculty of Education and Arts, Edith Cowan University); 4. Applying a Rasch Model Distractor Analysis: Implications for Teaching and Learning Asrijanty Asril (Center for Educational Assessment, Indonesian Ministry of Education and Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia) and Ida Marais (Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia); 5. Establishing the Validity of Rating Scale Instrumentation in Learning Environment Investigations Rob F. Cavanagh (School of Education, Curtin University of Technology); 6. Rasch Modelling of a Scale that Explores the Take-Up of Physics Among School Students from the Perspective of Teachers Pey-Tee Oon and R. Subramaniam (National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University); 7. Comparative Pairs Marking Supports Authentic Assessment of Practical Performance Within Constructivist Learning Environments Paul Newhouse (Edith Cowan University); 8. A Rasch Measurement of Disorganisation: Assessing a Commonly Mentioned but Rarely Examined Factor Affecting School Performance Rebecca Walker, Sarah Hopkins and Stephen Houghton (Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia); SECTION THREE: PERCEPTIONS OF THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT; 9. The Gifted Classroom Satisfaction Questionnaire: A Rasch Instrument Emma Tomkinson and Stephen Humphry (Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia); 10. An Investigation of Differential Need for Psychological Services Across Learning Environments Adrian Young and Robert F. Cavanagh (Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia); 11. Evaluating Tertiary Students' Perceptions of the English Teaching Assistants' Role in Teaching and Learning: A Rasch Analysis Sivanes Phillipson (Department of Education Studies, Hong Kong Baptists University); SECTION FOUR: COGNITION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT; 12. Secondary School Students' Engagement in Learning Japanese as a Second Language Yuko Asano-Cavanagh and Robert F. Cavanagh (Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia); 13. The Engagement in Classroom Learning of Years 10 and 11 Western Australian Students Penelope Kennish and Robert F. Cavanagh (Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia); 14. Measuring Cognitive Development in Early Childhood Learning Environments Claire Maley and Trevor G. Bond (School of Education, James Cook University, Queensland); Index.