Purpose: This exploratory study describes the emergent literacy skills of children with developmental language disorder (DLD) who speak Spanish, a language with a simple phonological structure and transparent orthography. We examine differences between children with DLD and their typically developing (TD) peers on a battery of emergent literacy…

Youth who exhibit externalizing problems during childhood and adolescence are at an increased risk for a wide range of detrimental life outcomes. Despite the profound consequences of externalizing problems for children, their families, and their communities, we know less about the precise trajectory of externalizing symptoms across late childhood…

The most striking aspect of this study is that the PIAT, designed and standardized for children in the educational mainstream, is as applicable to Mexican-American children as to their Anglo counterparts. Consequently, the PIAT may be advantageous as a screening instrument with this culturally specific population. (Author)

The concurrent validity and reliability of Kaufman's short-form version of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities were examined for a sample of 342 Mexican-American preschool and kindergarten age children. The results showed that generally the positive psychometric properties of the Kaufman short form were also noted for the children in this…

The paper reviews the relevant literature and discusses the nature of Chicano concerns in regard to the implementation of legislation mandating developmental assessment of poor children. (Author/CL)

Eighteen Mexican American pupils in the grades 1-3 from two urban Kansas schools were tested, using 18 pairs of sound contrasts, for auditory discrimination problems related to their language-different background. Results showed v-b, ch-sh, and s-sp contrasts were the most difficult for subjects to discriminate. (LC)

In a comparison study, the receptive portion of the Screening Test of Spanish Grammar and the Spanish version of the Test of Auditory Comprehension of Language were administered to 20 Spanish-speaking Mexican American children (4 to 6-years-old). (Author/IM)

This paper deals with measurement of language dominance at the early-childhood level using a rating scale to help bilingual programs with student classification and placement. Some of the assumptions unique in the measurement of language dominance are discussed and applied to the validation procedure on a Spanish/English language dominance scale…

This document presents the results of a Texas survey undertaken to ascertain which developmental diagnostic and screening tests are used in the state to identify Mexican-American preschool children with learning disabilities. A total of 91 public schools, regional service centers, and Head Start centers throughout the state responded to the…

The usefulness of kindergarten screening methods in predicting first grade achievement was studied in 246 children with English or Spanish as the home language. Results support the hypothesis that the predictive validity of kindergarten measures varied as a function of the predominant language in the home. (SLD)

Language assessment procedures developed by the Houston Independent School District were undertaken to identify limited-English-speaking-ability (LESA) students, mostly Mexican-Americans, for bilingual instruction. Six phases of program development were included: (1) goals, policies and procedures; (2) language assessment; (3) instructional…

Six migrant educational programs were conducted in Iowa during fiscal year 1981. In the 4 programs held during the regular school year, 9 teachers and 3 aides (all bilingual) served an enrollment of 224 children, 186 of whom were "Spanish dominate." During the 2 summer programs, 6 teachers and 6 aides (all bilingual) served 159 children,…

In order to help handicapped children function in regular school programs by the time they enter first grade, the First Chance Early Childhood Program provides precise intervention into the development of children aged 3 to 5 with clearly identified handicapping conditions. Using English and/or Spanish, program staff test and measure the referred…

The contributions of school classification--regular or educable mentally retarded (EMR)--sex, and ethnic status to domain scores from the Public School Version of the Adaptive Behavior Scale were investigated. Part One measures the development of personal independence in daily living, while Part Two measures maladaptive behavior related to…

A representative sample of California school psychologists was surveyed to determine the extent of the use of the Adaptive Behavior Scale and the relationship between training in the use of the scale and perceptions of the efficacy of its measures. A large majority of psychologists had used the scale two or fewer times, though 30-45% had been…