An alternative approach to the traditional diagnostic-prescrptive or medical model for classifying behavior disorders is proposed which considers topography of deviant behaviors, degree of exceptionality, nature of deviance, and events influencing the deviancy in the context of developing and monitoring education/treatment programs. (Author/CB)

Challenge to teacher education of assessment in special education are noted in terms of P.L. 94-142 (The Education for All Handicapped Children Act) requirements and current practices. Critical issues in teacher education focus on reasons, methods, and content of assessment training. Seventeen recommendations for practice are listed. (CL)

Analysis of four scores for 32 young handicapped children on the Learning Accomplishment Profile-Diagnostic Edition and on the Development Profile, found that all data sources were highly correlated on their estimates. Parent tended to report more items passed than did the diagnostician for both instruments. (Author/CL)

This article summarizes the development process and context for understanding and using the Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) knowledge and skills standards for the preparation and certification of educational diagnosticians, approved by the CEC Professional Standards and Practice Committee in December 1997. The complete set of standards…

Modified Assessment Techniques (MATs) are nonstandard diagnostic activities used with standardized tests and other assessment tools to gather information unavailable through standardized methods. Suggestions are offered for implementing MATs in several cognitive areas by modifying modality, language, complexity, spacial, and temporal elements and…

The usefulness of the picture story language test (PSLT) as a standardized assessment procedure that would discriminate between 124 nonlearning-disabled and 85 learning-disabled (LD) elementary school students was studied. It was concluded that the PSLT does not allow for an accurate and complete diagnostic appraisal. (Author/PHR)

Scores on the Einstein Assessment of School-Related Skills for 164 elementary-level children were correlated with reading and mathematics test scores, teacher ratings, and presence/absence of school-diagnosed learning difficulty. Results showed the Einstein was significantly related to achievement and generally predicted learning difficulty as…

Guidelines for effective ecological assessment are put forth in the form of a list of diagnostic questions and a checklist of variables in the child's environment that may be contributing to behavior problems. Physical, psychosocial, and physiological factors are listed for consideration in analyzing the totality of influences on the child. (PB)

The adequacy of the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery, Part II: Tests of Achievement, for identifying and diagnosing learning disabled college students was examined using 68 subjects. Results indicated that ceiling effects were less pervasive than with regular college students. Cluster and subtest reliabilities proved adequate for use in…

An assessment procedure which meets the requirements of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) is described. In this hierarchical and interrelated system screening provides information and a focus for diagnosis, and diagnosis provides information and a focus for treatment. (Author)

Measures of visual perception, such as the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (BVMGT) usually require motoric responding, i.e., drawing of figures. An alternative test, the Non-Motoric Visual Gestalt Test (NVGT), is compared with the BVMGT and shown to be superior in measuring visual-perceptual abilities that can discriminate poor and average…

The study evaluated the predictive validity of DIAL-R, which identifies children aged 2-6 with potential learning problems or giftedness. Based on longitudinal data for 312 elementary-level children, DIAL-R scores were found to have good concurrent sensitivity and specificity but did not correspond well with subsequent special education placement.…

The Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) and an expressive language measure were administered to 114 children (aged 24 to 74 months) suspected of developmental difficulties. The DDST did not identify the majority of children who failed the expressive language screening, even after cutoff scores were made more rigorous. (Author/JDD)

A survey instrument concerning knowledge and skills needed by educational diagnosticians was developed and validated by 137 members of the Council for Educational Diagnostic Services (CEDS). Validated statements were used to formulate a policy statement which was approved by CEDS membership. (JDD)

The Miller Assessment for Preschoolers, intended for children ages 2-5, is designed as both a screening and a diagnostic assessment, measuring neuromaturational variables, coordination, language, memory, problem solving, and visual perception. This review examines test administration, summation of data, standardization, reliability, and validity,…