At the same time that research has raised questions about the efficiency, cost effectiveness and overall value of triennial reevaluation in special education programs, school psychologists have expressed a desire to spend less time in psychometric testing. This study examined the effects of using the General Purpose Abbreviated Battery of the Stanford-Binet: Fourth Edition (Binet GP) in the triennial reevaluation of learning disabled students.The Binet GP, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement-Brief Form (Kaufman BF) were given concurrently to 50 learning disabled students during triennial reevaluation. Intelligence/ achievement discrepancy scores were calculated by subtracting Kaufman BF achievement subtest scores from achievement levels predicted by performance on the Binet GP and WISC-R intelligence scales. These discrepancy scores were compared to determine how use of the Binet GP might effect eligibility for placement in a learning disabilities program. Cognitive scores derived from the Binet GP and the WISC-R were also compared.Descriptive statistics and univariate correlations were computed. The correlational relationship between intelligence scores on the Binet GP and the WISC-R was significant, positive and substantial. The relationship between discrepancy scores was significant, positive and high. A repeated measures analysis of mean differences between Binet GP and WISC-R scores was nonsignificant as was a comparison of the variances and mean discrepancy scores. A chi-square and a coefficient of level of classification (Kappa) were used to test agreement in classification as projected by Binet GP and WISC-R discrepancy scores. Agreement in classification and level of classification was significant with 86% of the subjects classified the same by both cognitive measures. It appears that, used judiciously and in like context, the Binet GP might be a time efficient and valid addition to reevaluation. / Department of Educational Psychology

At the core of this study was an investigation of the current system of identification of learning disabled children as a result of concerns raised regarding the equivocal nature of federal guidelines for identification and their differential application by professionals. Toward this goal, the purposes of this study were 1) to evaluate the Reitan-Indiana Aphasia Screening Test as a means to differentiate LD children from low-achieving and normal children; 2) to assess the quantitative and qualitative neuropsychological performance differences between these three groups; and 3) to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative neuropsychological performance differences between male and female LD and low-achieving children. Subjects were 244 male (n=118) and female (n=126) LD (n=82), low-achieving (n=72), and normal (n=90) children randomly selected from five Midwestern school corporations. Classification of subjects into groups was based on previous identification as an LD child or scores on the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (below the 50th percentile and not school identified as LD were classified as low-achieving). Two-way analyses of variance indicated that neuropsychological performanceNeuropsychological Differences as measured by the Reran-Indiana Aphasia Screening Test significantly differed between groups but not gender on total error score. Further, two-way multivariate analyses of variance indicated significant performance differences across groups with LD children making more errors than either group on tasks indicative of spelling dyspraxia, constructional dyspraxia, dyslexia, central dysarthria, dyscalculia, and body dysgnosia. Additionally, LD children demonstrated more dysfunction in deficits reflective of only mild to moderate neuropsychological impairment as compared to deficits more strongly indicative of brain damage. No differences in performance based on type of error or severity of dysfunction was found between genders. Implications of these findings are discussed relative to the identification process. / Department of Educational Psychology

The purpose of this study was to develop a screening battery that could be used as a pre-referral method of identifying students in need of formal assessment for special education services. Further, the battery was designed to provide guidance regarding what classification should be specifically explored in assessment. The screening battery under study included measures of phonological proficiency, self-concept, social perception, and moral reasoning. These variables were measured by the G-F-W Sound-Symbol Tests (Spelling of Sounds Subtest) (Goldman, Fristoe, & Woodcock, 1974), the Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter, 1985), My Classmates and Me (a sociometric instrument), and the Moral Reasoning Scale for Children (Daniel, 1992). Research has demonstrated that the constructs measured by these instruments are related in differential degrees to classification status of students.Battery scores of 104 subjects (mean age=10.3 years) were cluster analyzed using Ward's method. Once distinct profiles were identified, they were compared to behavioral and educational histories of subjects to determine if the patterns were related to pre-determined classifications. Step-wise discriminant function analyses were conducted using measures of cognitive ability, reading achievement, emotional adjustment and attention as discriminatingvariables in an effort to externally validate the cluster solution.Cluster analysis of the four battery components yielded four clusters with distinctive profiles. Pair-wise comparisons of the four clusters indicated each was significantly different from the others based on performance on the screening battery (p<.001). These groups were identified as: Low Achievement, Pervasive Dysfunction, Normal, and Low Cognitive Ability. Although these cluster groups were not found to be strictly parallel to previously identified classifications, they were differentiated to varying degrees on several dimensions identified through discriminant analyses.The "Normal Group" was adequately differentiated from the other three groups on external validation indices. This suggested that the screening battery, which was used to establish groups, could predict the need for special education services of the subjects in the non-normal groups. / Department of Educational Psychology

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the performances on the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML; Sheslow & Adams, 1990) of children with different developmental and neurological disorders. The primary question was whether the WRAML subtests significantly differentiate among children with Developmental Reading Disorders (RD; n = 44), with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; n = 37), with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI; n = 30), and without developmental or neurological disabilities (n = 103). Archival data from the TBI Project at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children and from the Division of Psychology at Alfred I. duPont Institute was analyzed. The results of a discriminant functions analysis indicated that significant differences among the groups do exist on the WRAML and that the groups were discriminated from one another by three distinct types of tasks (i.e., functions): rote memory, verbal learning, and meaningful memory. Furthermore, based on WRAML performance alone, participants had a 63% chance of being classified into their proper diagnostic group. In addition to supporting the use of multi-dimensional tasks to assess memory, the results of this study have clinical relevance for developing diagnosis-specific recommendations for memory and learning problems. / Department of Educational Psychology

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Split-Half Short Form WISC-R correlates over time with the WISC-R and whether either of these two separately administered measures of intellectual ability were able to predict academic achievement in a sample of learning disabled students using the WRAT as the criterion variable.The subjects were 100 (71 males, 29 females) students, ages, 6 through 16, selected from a special education learning disabled school population. All the subjects were administered the WISC-R an average of three years prior to the administration of the WISC-RSH and the WRAT.Two hypotheses were specified for the separately administered test forms: No significant difference between corresponding scales of WISC-R and WISC-RSH; and no difference in ability of corresponding WISC-R and WISC-RSH scale scores in predicting academic achievement using the WRAT Reading, Spelling, and Arithmetic standard scores. Pearson Product-Moment correlation analyses were used to determine if a significant relationship existed between Verbal, Performance and Full-Scale IQ scores of the WISC-R and WISC-RSH. Regression analysis procedures were used to determine the predictive validity of each of these measures to the WRAT subscales.The results revealed that the Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQ scores of the WISC-R and the WISC-RSH were significantly correlated (r=.60, .69, .72, respectively) over the three year period.Indices of predictability obtained from regression procedures revealed that neither test form was able to predict academic achievement using the WRAT scores as the criteria. However, both test forms performed similarly in their predictive ability, with the WISC-RSH demonstrating a slightly better predictive ability than the WISC-R. This can be explained by the fact that the WISC-RSH and WRAT were administered concurrently three years after the WISC-R.Results from this study show promise that the WISC-RSH, Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQ scores may be used in the re-evaluation assessment process of learning disabled students. It remains open to question whether the WISC-RSH can be used in place of the WISC-R for all special education students in light of what previous studies have demonstrated regarding the WISC-R's ability to predict academic achievement in other exceptional sample populations. / Department of Educational Psychology

The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children is a relatively new instrument designed to measure the cognitive abilities of children ages 2 1/2 to 12 1/2. The battery was predominantly based upon Luria's theory of cognitive processing which proposes a simultaneous and sequential dichotomy for the analysis of information. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses have generally supported this theory. However, across different age groups and with special populations, analyses have been inconsistent.Few alternative structures for the battery have been tested, especially with special populations.The purpose of the present study was to assess the viability of a two factor structure based upon the modality of input for a group of students referred for learning difficulties. One hundred and twelve students, ages 7 to 12 1/2, who had been referred by teachers because of learning difficulties were used in the study. The thirteen subtests of the K-ABC were specified as being associated with a visual input factor, an auditory input factor, or both. Confirmatory factor analysis, as performed by the LISREL VI computer program, was then used to test this hypothesis. Unreasonable parameter estimates led to the rejection of the model for this sample. This lack of confirmation is discussed in terms of high correlations among estimates, misspecification of the model, sample homogeneity, and lack of independence among the subtests in terms of input modality. It was concluded that input modality was not a major factor in performance on the battery for this particular sample.

This study explored the relationship between anxiety and children's performance on the Reitan-Indiana Aphasia Screening Test. Anxiety was measured using the Personality Inventory for Children. Participants' anxiety scores were correlated with the individual component error scores and the total error scores from the Reitan Aphasia Screening Test. Second, the individual component scores were examined to assess their independent and shared contributions in the prediction of the Anxiety Scale of the Personality Inventory for Children.Participants for this study were 176, 9 to 16 year old boys and girls referred to an outpatient neuropsychological assessment clinic. Anxiety was found to be significantly related to the total score of the Reitan-Indiana Aphasia Screening test, as well as, each of the individual components. The regression analysis showed that five of the individual components of the Reitan-Indiana Aphasia Screening Test were able to significantly predict scores on the Anxiety Scale of the Personality Inventory for Children with a multiple R of .76. These data were discussed in terms of the importance of the interrelationship between anxiety and the Reitan-Indiana Aphasia Screening Test when making clinical judgements concerning the individual patient. / Department of Educational Psychology

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among measures of cognitive functioning, adaptive behavior, and language acquisition for a referred preschool population. The subjects were 115 preschoolers (75 boys and 40 girls) under the age of 6 years who had received a psychoeducational battery of tests for either suspected learning difficulties, emotional problems, or attention disorders. This data was collected from the archival records in a children's hospital.Pearson product moment correlations were used to examine the relationship among measures of cognitive functioning, adaptive behavior, and language acquisition. Correlation matrices were formulated to investigate the relationship.Three groups were delineated dependent on the instrument used to assess the preschoolers: Group 1 received the Bayley Intelligence Scale for Children and the Wisconsin Adaptive Behavior Scale; Group 2 received the Bayley Intelligence Scale for Children and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale; and Group 3 received the Stanford-Binet LM, the Vineland, and the Preschool Language Scale.The correlations obtained in Group 1 were all statistically significant (p<.01); these correlations for cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior were the highest of all the three groups. In fact, considerably higher than might be predicted after the review of the literature that contends that cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior are separate yet related constructs. Moderate correlations between cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior were found for the other two groups in alignment with earlier studies.In examining cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior for this referred preschool population it seems that the relationship changes as the child gets older. This study was not longitudinal; however, a greater separation of the constructs of cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior existed for the older child in this sample.In addition to examining the relationship between cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior, this study also looked at language acquisition in relationship to cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior. Statistically significantly high correlations were found for cognitive functioning and language acquisition for this study. The Preschool Language Scale Expressive subdomain was slightly more highly correlated with the Stanford-Binet LM than the Preschool Language Scale Receptive subdomain. This is consistent with the Vineland's Expressive subdomain correlating higher with the Stanford-Binet LM than the Vineland's Receptive subdomain. This suggests the age of the child has something to do with measuring language acquisition in the areas of receptive and expressive language.Given the moderate to high correlations for cognitive functioning, adaptive behavior, and language acquisition for this referred preschool population, it was concluded that measures of adaptive behavior and language acquisition assess constructs similar, yet distinct to cognitive functioning. Therefore, they are both valuable components in comprehensive assessment especially of children "at-risk". / Department of Educational Psychology

General education and special education teachers are expected to provide evidence-based instruction to all students in the classroom. Along with that, they must make sure that their students pass the state mandated tests based on state standards. Meeting the needs of everyone in the classroom is a difficult task especially with 10-20% of those students having special learning needs that require a different approach to assessment and instruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role that metacognitive strategies have in second grade students with learning disabilities while they are performing written spelling lists and story generation tasks. One-on-one interviews were conducted with two second grade students with learning disabilities after they had written ten word spelling lists as well as a story based on a photograph of their choice. The interviews were conducted to identify what metacognitive processes they used by asking them to report and reflect on what they wrote, how they knew what to write, and whether or not they could identify what they wrote was correct, as well as being able to independently correct any errors they made. The results indicate that although their metacognitive strategies were emerging, they had difficulty reporting consistently and accurately what spelling strategies they used. They also had difficulty reflecting on whether a word was correct or incorrect and if incorrect, how to correct it. Each student used a different approach to spelling a word, one “Brute Force” and the other “Rule-based.” Neither of these approaches worked effectively for these students as they made many spelling errors and still had difficulty correcting them. The overall findings indicate that these two second grade students with learning disabilities used limited metacognitive strategies of monitoring, regulating and reflecting. What strategies they did employ, were not consistent or effective to help them achieve a level of spelling efficiency needed to be successful in second grade. / Department of Special Education

Research literature indicates that parents of children with disabilities have different effects from and perceptions of their children’s disabilities. Evidence also suggests that mothers and fathers experience different effects from their child’s disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in stress levels between Kuwaiti fathers and mothers about their children with specific learning disabilities (SLD). The research utilized a descriptive survey design that employed a mixed methodology of both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A sample size of 182 parents comprised of 91 fathers and 91 mothers participated in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic characteristics of the participants and their children with SLD. Descriptive statistics were also used to demonstrate participants’ responses toward the open-ended questions that were included in the qualitative section, while the t-test and repeated-measured MANOVA were used to examine the differences in stress levels between the Kuwaiti parents in the quantitative section. The outcome of the research revealed that there were significant differences in overall stress levels between Kuwaiti fathers and mothers about their children with SLD. The findings of this study showed that overall mothers have significantly higher stress levels than fathers, and they have higher stress levels specifically about the child’s characteristics (Child Domain) and also the parents’ characteristics (Parent Domain) as well. The researcher suggests that ministries of education and ministries of health in Kuwait and the Gulf Area need to provide effective programs that improve the quality of life of parents of children with disabilities and meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families. Parents of children with disabilities need governmental and other program models that support their efforts on behalf of their children with disabilities and decrease the unhealthy stress levels that these parents might experience. / Department of Special Education