School identified learning disabled (LD) fourth graders (N=50) were compared with 49 fourth graders who were underachieving in school (non-LD) but were not identified as LD. Both groups were administered a battery of psychoeducational tests and their performances were compared on all measures. Results indicated considerable similarities between…

The extent to which computer simulated classification decisions within special education were differentially affected by information presented at the time of the referral was investigated. Decisions about 16 different cases were evaluated and found to be a function of referral information rather than child performance data. The outcomes are…

Investigated with 64 upper middle class first-grade children of normal intelligence and visual perception was the construct validity of the trait of visual figure-ground perception. (Author/DB)

Results by 30 disadvantaged and 30 nondisadvantaged first grade rural children on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the modified Blind Learning Aptitude Test confirmed two hypotheses on product-dominant and process-dominant tests. (MC)

Decision makers and psychologists (N=224) who had previously participated in at least two placement team meetings individually completed a computer simulated decision making program on a child referred for a suspected handicapping condition. Ss were randomly assigned to 16 different conditions varying on the basis of the referred child's sex,…

A nationwide sample of 49 school psychologists and 30 regular education teachers provided information on assessment for the purpose of instructional planning. School psychologists listed the types of information they collected for this purpose and teachers listed the types of information they considered useful. While some indications of agreement…

Results of three separate studies were analyzed to ascertain the technical adequacy of tests used by professionals to make screening, placement/classification, instructional planning, and evaluation decisions for handicapped students. In each investigation, the frequency of usage of technically adequate instruments was addressed. The finding that…

When asked to rate the expected behaviors of a hypothetical child assigned to each of three labeling conditions (normal, learning disabled, or emotionally disturbed) 75 elementary teachers differentially responded to the labels. (CL)

A multitrait-multimethod matrix was used to ascertain the convergent and discriminant validity of the subtests of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test. Correlations among scores earned by educable mentally retarded children on PIAT and WRAT subtests were similar to those reported for retarded adolescents by Sitlington (1970). (Author)

Because a critical issue in current assessment efforts is the widespread use of technically inadequate tests, the study examined tests chosen by 159 school professionals during a computer simulation of placement decision making about potentially handicapped students. Chi square analysis showed technically adequate devices were chosen…

Educational decision makers (N=224) participated in a computer simulated decision making experience to ascertain the extent to which referral information on a child with a suspected handicapping condition biased classification decisions. Ss were randomly assigned to 16 conditions varying on the basis of the child's sex, socioeconomic status,…

Four groups of educational decision makers rated the influence of nine pieces of information on the decsions they made about the educational placement of a handicapped elementary class child. Information regarding the sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and physical attractiveness of the student had an insignificant effect on decisions. Information…

A study of 13 national and state data collection programs examined the exclusion of students with disabilities from data collection programs evaluating student educational outcomes. Eight recommendations are offered for improving the collection and reporting of information in state and national data collection programs. (Author/CR)

One hundred fifty-nine members of pupil placement teams participated in an examination of the extent to which sex, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, and nature of referral problem biased the psychoeducational assessment and decision making process for children with suspected handicapping conditions. Ss were assigned to 16 conditions in a…