The factor structure of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS; [Reynolds, C.R., & Kamphaus, R.W. (2003). "Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales". Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.]) was investigated with a large (N=1163) independent sample of referred students (ages 6-18). More rigorous factor extraction criteria…

Ethical guidelines require school psychologists to ensure that their assessment practices are nondiscriminatory, but typical discussions on this topic neglect the possible discriminatory effects of cultural stereotypes on assessment results. Recent research on "stereotype threat" shows that students' knowledge of stereotype-based negative…

The Slosson Intelligence Test and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Form L-M) were administered to 44 children. A comparison of measured IQs indicated that the Slosson overestimated IQ when compared with the Stanford-Binet, for 39 of the 44 children. The results also suggest that although a high degree of correlation was attained with the…

It was found that the school psychologist's behavior in attaching labels to deviant child behavior is diametrically opposite that of psychiatric personnel; school psychologists tend to be more attracted to the less complex labels and/or interpretation impressions. (Author)

The author calls for a broader new psychoeducational evaluation which allows for more productive uses of the school psychologist's services. Special education, being in transition, is more clearly focusing on finding ways for exceptional children to function in regular school settings. (Author)

The author suggests ways school districts can diminish the possibility of legal action against them by parents who object to psychological testing. These suggestions are also aimed at permitting the psychologist to function in a more secure setting and be seen in a more positive light by the community. (Author)

Examines five structured interview formats for assessing psychopathology in children. Presents information illustrating specific characteristics of each interview. Includes reliability and validity data, and draws implications for use of interviews in school settings. Offers suggestions for the development of structured formats and for avenues of…

Provides qualified support for the work of Martin and colleagues in that kindergarten measures of negative emotionality were correlated with grade 1 reading measures. Results show that persistence and intelligence affected reading achievement. Implications for school psychological assessment process, classroom instruction, and primary prevention…

Psychologists (N=40) were surveyed about reevaluations of special education students. Responses indicated that reevaluations comprised a substantial portion of evaluations, involved a considerable amount of time, and were perceived as an important check on a child's diagnosis and placement. (Author/HLM)

Reviews criticism of research on judgmental biases in cognitive psychology and recommends using caution in applying the findings of this research to research in school psychology. Provides suggestions regarding the potential of theory in cognitive psychology to reconcile discrepant findings in selected research on special education decision…

States that the literature suggests that decision makers lack insight into the cues they use to reach conclusions. Compares school psychologists' subjective versus objective cue-use when analyzing three clinical cases. Results indicated that there was little correspondence between the psychologists' subjective impressions about the importance of…

Two nested structural models are developed to determine whether test-session behaviors affect the manner in which intelligence is measured or influence the constructs being measured. Results indicate that test-session behaviors play a larger role influencing the mechanisms of measurement than on the constructs of intelligence. (Author/EMK)

A study of cumulative records and psychologist files in 12 representative districts permitted a comparison of the EMR placement of those later decertified (D) with matched nondecertified (EMR). Records showed no systematic differences between D and EMR groups in pre-EMR reasons for referral nor in teacher marks. (Author)

Discusses current psychological and educational assessment practices used with elementary school limited-English proficiency (LEP) children, as revealed by a nationwide study of local education agencies (LEAs) (n=21) that had LEP handicapped children mainstreamed in bilingual education classrooms. Testing approaches most frequently used with LEP…

Discusses psychological report writing and suggests that current guidelines have not been responsive to changes in professional practice stemming from legal mandates, changing professional roles, and contemporary theory and practice. Reviews approaches to assessment and their potential influence on report writing and presents a contemporary…