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The primary purpose of this research was to validate psychometric integrity of the Speed DIAL screening instrument by establishing its predictive validity. The validation process included determining what, if any, associations existed between the predictor variable, Speed DIAL and the outcome variable, the Virginia Standards of Learning third-grade math and total English tests. Gender and age were factors in the study. Finally, certain intervening variables, those occurring after the predictor variable, but before the outcome variable, were included in the study. These interventions were supplementary programs or placements provided students in the hopes of positively influencing students' academic performance. The documented interventions were: retention status, special education status, number of years participating in Title I math, number of years participating in Title I reading, and number of years participating in the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) program. Based on the findings, Speed DIAL does possess predictive qualities. There was a moderate correlation between Speed DIAL scores and Virginia Standards of Learning third-grade math and total English test scores. Speed DIAL's overall effectiveness rating exceeded 75%. Females scored higher than males on the Speed DIAL, and there was a negative association between Speed DIAL and the documented intervening variables. Using the Elaboration Paradigm, these intervening variables validated the positive association between Speed DIAL scores and scores on the Virginia Standards of Learning third-grade tests.