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…

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the associations between the student-teacher relationship and outcomes for African American students who were behaviorally at-risk for referral to special education. Students were identified by their teachers as having behavior problems. Participants were 44 students and 25 teachers from two…

African Americans are over-represented in school suspensions, yet little is known about the underlying contributing dynamics. Study 1 reviewed a high school's annual discipline data and 442 students referred for defiance. African Americans were over-represented in referrals for defiance and most students received referrals from one or several…

Administered Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition and Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children to 40 referred children. Correlation coefficients computed between two tests were strong, suggesting consistency in underlying global construct being measured; however, no compelling evidence supporting theoretical structure of two scales was…

This article deals with the description and use of a referral form for the behaviorally-oriented school psychologist in the elementary school. The advantages of using performance related descriptions of school problems are dealt with as well as the sequence of training necessary to use this type of form. (Author)

This study analyzed referrals made by school psychologists to families for counseling outside of the school setting. Thirty-three variables were explored as having possible relationships with the outcome of the referral recommendation. Findings were discussed in light of previous research. (Author)

Investigated referral question bias on school psychologists' classification decisions across different types of cases. Findings from 175 school psychologists who classified 5 case studies on basis of scores from intelligence, achievement, and behavioral measures revealed lack of congruence among respondents' classification decisions that was more…

Elementary school teachers (N=140) completed a questionnaire on school referrals which asked them to rate the likelihood of referral of a child in five behavioral anecdotes. Results indicate teachers would be more likely to refer boys than girls with identical problems. (Author)

Compared z-score discrepancy and regression procedure for determining severe discrepancy between ability and achievement among 236 learning-disabled (LD) referrals. Contrasted results with policy dictating that lowest achieving of referrals be considered LD. Evaluated each student with individual intelligence scale and achievement test. Results…

Critically examines experiment by Algozzine and Ysseldyke (1981) that found school psychologists, teachers, and other professionals overrely on referrals and underuse test scores. Examines other experiments that contradict these findings. Compares subjects, test scores, and descriptive information that subjects in these experiments received.…

Elementary school teachers (N=104) were sent brief description of common classroom problem and information designed to alter their sense of control over the problem. Results indicated that increasing teachers' perceptions of control over the problem resulted in an increased preference for consultative rather than referral services. (Author/NB)

A follow-up study was conducted to determine the outcome of 254 referrals made by 47 school psychologists in New York and New Jersey. Evaluation of referral outcome was determined in light of the reason prompting the referral recommendation. (Author)

Examined ability of social, economic, and educational variables to predict screening referral rates among 398 school districts in statewide preschool screening program. Results from two studies indicated that screening referral rates were not related to broad social, economic, and educational factors in any simple way. Suggests implications for…

Investigated relationship of Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) to academic achievement. PPVT-R was correlated with Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Findings from 181 elementary school children referred for special education evaluation suggest that the PPVT-R could be used to…

Surveyed national sample of elementary and secondary school psychologists regarding recent referrals. Found that most referrals were initiated by school staff and majority occurred initially through formal mechanisms. Poor academic performance was of primary concern in 52% of cases, social/emotional problems in 31%. More boys than girls were…