Test bias research with Native American participants is uncommon, although individual tests of intelligence are often used with Native American students to determine eligibility for special education services. Only two studies with minimally adequate sample sizes have addressed the structural validity of major tests of intelligence in Native…

The Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) are frequently used across cultures in standard assessment batteries for learners between 6 and 17 years of age, respectively. Responses of American Indian students on the BSID-II and WISC-III were examined for patterns of…

Relates gains in the reading, language, and mathematics achievement of 35 upper-elementary Ojibwa (Chippewa) children to their scores on certain subtests of the WISC-R and the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities. Uses multiple regression analyses and cross-validation strategies. Contains 17 references and 7 statistical tables. (SV)

Examines misclassification of Native Canadian students' abilities with standardized intelligence test results. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (particularly verbal scale) results often reflect extent of acculturation, not personal capabilities. Paper indicates areas of needed research to find more appropriate ways of assessing…

Reports possible validity of particular American Indian cognitive style based on the Bannatyne categories of the Wechsler Scales. Found statistically significant pattern of spatial ability, sequential ability, and verbal conceptual ability in 75 junior and senior high school Yakima Indian students. (LFL)

The authors respond to Brandt's critique (TM 508 782) of their work. They object to the unsupported criticism and indications that they "overgeneralize." They assert that cultural differences need not imply deficit. The needs of American Indian children demand the application of a variety of perspectives and interdisciplinary skills.…

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised scoring patterns of 197 Native American children (ages 6-16, 90 girls and 107 boys) at a Northern Plains boarding school were explored to identify characteristic cognitive processing strengths. Findings indicated greater strength than among standardization population in relational, holistic, right…

Updates previous literature reviews by reporting recent findings about the Wechsler Intelligence scales and other performance tests with American Indians. Discusses test bias and the unwitting role of clinical psychologists in preserving the American Indian status quo through testing. Suggests ways to increase awareness of responsible and ethical…

A major criticism of standardized intelligence tests is their improper use in measuring the intellectual competence of culturally diverse children. Factors which complicate the issue are the definition of intelligence, content bias in intelligence tests, and the interpretation of test scores between white middle class children and children of…

Examined the Wechsler Scales as predictors of academic achievement for a sample of Native Americans (N=75) from the Columbia Basin area. Results indicated significant Verbal-Performance discrepancies with mean Verbal scores significantly below the normative mean and Performance scores at or above the normative mean. (LLL)

Investigated patterns of Bannatyne's recategorized Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) scores of Tlingit Indian Children (N=146) and investigated the proportions that exhibited a typically "Indian" pattern: Spatial > Sequential > Conceptual and Acquired Knowledge. Older children displayed an Indian pattern, but the…

Cultural bias and the clinical utility of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the French Pictorial Test of Intelligence were evaluted using scores of 22 male and 22 female Navajo primary grade children. As expected, the verbal IQ and full scale IQ of the WISC-R and the deviation IQ of the French provided significantly…

Examined the reliability and predictive validity of the WISC-R with Navajo children (N=40). Internal consistency reliability estimates of WISC-R subtests as well as composites were found to be low for the Navajo subjects. The predictive validity of the WISC-R IQ scales was similarly found to be very low. (Author)

Analysis of performance data of American Indian children on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) confirms prior results regarding the verbal and perceptual motor skills of that population. Because so many items did not contribute significantly to the total test variance, clinicians should interpret test results with caution.…

Investigated item bias on six subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised for four sociocultural groups (N=950), Anglo, Black, Chicano, and Native American Papago (NAP). Results of statistical indexes indicated no or negligible bias against Blacks and Chicanos. Found evidence suggesting bias in some verbal scales with NAPs.…