The Walker/Severson Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders measure was revised for use with preschool children. The revision consists of three hierarchical stages of increasingly time-consuming methodologies: (1) teacher rankings, (2) teacher ratings, and (3) direct behavioral observations. Testing with 121 children demonstrated significant…

A study examined the office disciplinary referrals of 103 children who met the borderline or clinical cut-off scores of the Teacher Report Form. Results indicate there was a low-to-moderate degree of correspondence between children identified via a systematic gating procedure that included the form and office disciplinary referrals. (Contains…

A functional screening and identification system for behavior problems among preschool children, ages 3 through 5, was assessed with 2,853 children from regular and special education preschool and kindergarten classrooms in 8 states. The Early Screening Project procedure was found to provide reliable, accurate, and cost-effective screening. (SW)

Teachers rated elementary-aged students on the Critical Events Index of the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders instrument. In 2 studies, 74 students who were identified by teachers as the highest ranked externalizers and internalizers were found to exhibit strikingly different profiles on the Critical Events Index. Behavioral descriptions…

Two studies probe validation, replication, and normative questions regarding the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders (SSBD) procedure. The first included teachers from 15 elementary schools, while the second drew from 2 school districts. Similar results from both studies supported SSBD validity. The second study also supported reliability…

This article describes a program designed to provide early identification of developmental and behavioral problems of children who are at risk because of poverty. The three-tier approach provides general observations of child behaviors, a structured play group, and developmental screening and/or formal assessment. (DB)

Internal consistency and construct and criterion-related validity of the Conners Teacher Rating Scale were studied with 540 students (ages 5-10), with emphasis on its utility as a measure of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and other disruptive behavior disorders. Internal consistency of factors ranged from .87 to .94. Convergent validity…

This study describes preliminary research efforts to examine the validity and utility of three Spanish versions of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the most extensively used and researched rating scale of children's internalizing and externalizing emotions. The study involved: (1) identification of Spanish items that were significantly…

This kit presents the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders (SSBD) as a tool to identify behavior disorders in elementary-aged students. The SSBD procedure is a three-stage, multiple-gating mass screening system. In the first stage the teacher systematically ranks all students according to either externalizing or internalizing behavioral…

The research evaluation project attempted to assess the effectiveness of new state (Kansas) guidelines for determining eligibility and placement of students in the areas of learning disabilities (LD), behavioral disorders (BD), and speech/language; and to assess the effectiveness of preassessment instructional programming options and screening…

Accurate screening of disruptive behavior disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder are a priority in elementary schools and child guidance clinics but they can be challenging because of symptom overlap with other disorders. The use of behavioral rating scales for assessing children's…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that investigated the effectiveness of the Preschool and Early Childhood Functional Assessment Scale (PECFAS) Screener, an assessment designed to assist in the early identification of mental health concerns in preschool-aged children. Formed in 1993, the Putting All Communities Together 4 Families…

This study sought to determine predictors of serious antisocial behaviors through use of multiple gating screening procedures. Kindergarten boys in 54 Montreal (Quebec, Canada) schools were assessed; then boys with high aggressiveness-hyperactivity-distractibility scores were observed for task-inappropriate behaviors and rated on inattention and…

This paper reports on the first year's results of a screening procedure used to identify kindergarten and first grade children at risk of developing serious emotional disturbance. The Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders (SSBD) is a three-stage, multiple-gated procedure for mass screening to determine whether a child should be referred for…

Sample forms and form completion instructions are provided for the referral, initial placement, annual review, and reevaluation of exceptional children. The forms were developed for use by North Carolina local educational agencies. The forms encompass the exceptionalities of academically gifted, specific learning disabled, behaviorally-emotionally…