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…

In order to qualify for special education services, students must meet criteria that signal a serious behavior disorder. The Executive Committee of the Council for Children with Behavior Disorders (1998) expressed the need to move away from norm-referenced measures and recommended utilizing a more functional assessment approach. Members of the…

Ratings were made of childrens' verbal-social behavior by nursery nurses and teachers in day nurseries, nursery schools, and combined nursery centers. These ratings were analyzed for group differences, and validity was assessed by comparing ratings with observations of the children's behavior and scores on two language tests. (RH)

Twenty-seven teachers rated 196 retarded workers with respect to the frequency of maladaptive behavior and the 28 items of a language behavior rating scale with respect to the probability that a given behavior would result in termination of employment. (Author/SBH)

The Adjustment Scales for Preschool Intervention (ASPI) was developed and tested for use in preschool programs serving low-income children, as a measure of emotional and behavioral adjustment problems observed within routine classroom situations. Validity of behavioral dimensions measured was supported. Dimensions of problem behaviors varied as a…

Evidence is presented of culturally related differences in the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ratings of teachers and students teachers from China (n=66), Hong Kong (n=109), and the United Kingdom (n=30). Teachers from China rated the videotaped behavior of a target child higher on a number of items than the other teachers. (Contains…

Develops and validates the Masculine Behavior Scale (MBS) which is an objective self-report instrument designed to measure the following behavioral tendencies stereotypically imputed more to males than to females: (1) restrictive emotionality; (2) inhibited affection; (3) success dedication; and (4) exaggerated self-reliance. Analyzes scale's…

High school teachers (n=89) rated the importance of 14 student skills and the reasonability of 35 intervention strategies related to mainstreaming. Student skills deemed most important were study skills useful in every class. Factor analysis of intervention strategy results revealed seven factors, and teachers' preferred intervention strategies…

The authors of EC 604 295 examine their developing interest in teachers' perceptions of their peers' effectiveness in teaching difficult students, consider questions raised after seeing results of their study, and outline implications of this line of research in the future. (JDD)

This case assessment of a man with dual diagnosis (mental retardation and mental illness) exemplifies the use of recent psychological measures, computerized programs, and structured assessment, including the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior, the Psychopathology Inventory for Mentally Retarded Adults, the Apperceptive Personality Test, and the…

Describes a technique for demonstrating personality scale validation techniques to introductory psychology students. Claims that the technique promotes a better grasp of the principles of test validation. Results include better class discussion, written reports, and examination grades. Suggests that introducing practical applications before…

The patterns of adaptive behavior in gifted and nongifted children (n=296, ages 2-16) were compared using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. Results indicated a significant difference between gifted and nongifted groups in communication, social skills, and daily living skills, but not in motor skill development. (Author/JDD)

This study found that 27 Chinese teachers' perceptions of 196 elementary students nominated as learning disabled or educable mentally retarded (based on identifying characteristics used in the United States) were significantly less favorable than ratings of students nominated as average or gifted. Discriminant analysis yielded 72.19 percent…

Providers' demographic characteristics, training, support networks, business practices, and stability of services were examined relative to their caregiving practices. Results from a schematic model approach suggest correlations between some of these factors and variances in ratings of caregiver practices. (LB)

Examined race differences in the association of parent behaviors with children's functioning for African-American and white second, fourth, and eighth graders. Found several associations between parents' self-reports of selected behaviors and measures of their children's adaptive and maladaptive functioning. Most of these associations differed by…