IPAC (Formerly IPMAAC) Call for Papers

There are a couple of updates on the organization formerly known as IPMAAC. Due to a change in its relationship with IPMA-HR, IPMAAC has changed its name its name to IPAC--the International Personnel Assessment Council. IPAC has also posted a call for proposals for its 33rd Annual Conference to be held September 12-16, 2009 in Nashville, TN (proposal due date: January 30, 2009).
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Supreme Court to Hear Ricci v. DeStefano

In what has been described as a reverse discrimination case, the Supreme Court has has agreed to hear what may be a potential landmark case that looks at the role of race in public sector hiring. The case involves firefighters in New Haven, CT who took a promotional exams. While 17 white and 1 Latino firefighter passed the exam, none of the African American candidates did. As a result, the city threw out the results because of adverse impact.

The firefighters subsequently filed suit. One of the core issues to be decided is whether test results can be disregarded solely on the basis of the race of the top scorers without violating the Equal Protection Clause and the prohibition against the use of race-based cut scores. (New Haven has apparently conceded that the exam itself was well-constructed and its validity is not in question.) Tom Sharf's article in the January 2009 SIOP TIP provides a good overview and interesting analysis of the case.

Here is the case before the Supreme Court and one of the earlier rulings.

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Cheating on Pre-Employment Assessments

While cheating is a concern to all in the testing industry, it is most often seen as a concern to those working in certification and education. However, a recent Wall Street Journal article describes how the current economic climate may be fostering an increase in cheating on pre-employment selection tests.
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ATP Conference Program and Registration

The program for the upcoming ATP Conference is posted on the conference website. Registration continues and be sure to make your room reservations prior to January 26, 2009 to obtain the negotiated room rate.
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I-O Division Leadership for 2009

January marks the annual change in leadership within the ATP Divisions. As a result, Ryan Ross becomes Chair for 2009. He will be ably assisted by John Weiner (Vice Chair) and Julie Carswell (Secretary).

This also marks the end of my term as a I-O Division chair. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for having had the opportunity to serve the division as well as ATP as whole. I am also grateful to those who shared their valuable time and efforts in supporting the goals of ATP.

Reid Klion
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