The characteristics of a sample of school-aged children identified as learning disabled (LD) are described. They were characterized by distributions of single variables (e.g., discrepancy between IQ and achievement) and hierarchical classification creating subgroups within the LD sample. Fewer than half the sample exhibited characteristics…

This comprehensive guide to Logo as a programing language discusses its potential for advanced as well as introductory programing, lists and explains several computer programs, and provides evaluative reviews of eight Logo systems, including information on their developers, distributors, price, format, appropriate microcomputer, documentation,…

Assessed the prediction of learning proficiency on the basis of scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) with children (N=60) referred for learning disabilities. The WISC-R Coding accounted for over 50 percent of the variance in a controlled nonverbal paired associate learning measure and was the single best…

Problems with experimental research on mental retardation include: (1) difficulties with defining mental retardation; (2) neglect in demonstrating causal relationships; and (3) reliance on methodology not necessarily appropriate for defining the criteria of retardation. The author advocates abandoning definitions based on intelligence tests and…

Statistical bias in measurement and ethnic-group bias in testing are discussed, reviewing predictive and construct validity studies. Item bias is reconceptualized to include distance of item content from respondent's experience. Differing values of mean and standard deviation for bias parameter are analyzed in a simulation. References are…

Attitudes of 168 practitioners (pediatricians, psychologists, special educators, allied health professionals, and social workers) toward mental retardation were compared. Results showed that pediatricians were significantly more pessimistic about the ultimate abilities of mentally retarded adults than psychologists and educators. (Author/SEW)

Individual differences in digit span, susceptibility to proactive interference, and various aptitude/achievement test scores were investigated in two experiments with college students. Results indicated that digit span was strongly correlated with aptitude/achievement scores, but did not indicate that susceptibility to proactive interference…

Using the Matching Familiar Figures Test and the Porteus Maze Tests with characteristic modifications, the feasibility of using measures of cognitive tempo were examined. The measures' contributions in predicting the work performance of institutionalized moderately-severely retarded subjects were no greater than conventional individual…

In two six-month longitudinal studies of intellectually advanced preschool children, letter naming time and background digit span were moderately good predictors of concurrent reading achievement, while no other standard cognitive indices, including mental age, were associated with reading achievement. Both memory span and retrieval were related…

Age-scaled information and vocabulary scores of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and self-ratings of intelligence on a six-point scale were correlated for 190 predominately Caucasian undergraduates. Coefficients of the expected magnitude confirmed validity of the subtests as measures of self-rated intelligence. (Author/CM)

A study of pupils who had been suspended from school for disciplinary reasons suggested they had stressful family environments, were more likely to have suffered a serious illness, had low intelligence, and suffered severe reading problems which could have led to disruptive behavior. Argued that school policy significantly determined whether or…

Factor-analyzed the WISC-R, PIAT, and WRAT scores of 183 male, learning disabled students. Findings suggest intelligence and achievement are composed of similar traits and skills. Therefore, comparison of individual achievement test scores with traditional Verbal, Performance, or Full Scale intelligence for learning disabled children may not be…

Predicted divergent thinking and problem-solving performance of elementary school students from teachers' ratings of students' affective/behavioral characteristics, and from intelligence test scores. Found teachers' ratings of sensitivity to beauty, risk taking, awareness of impulses, and humor were the most frequent significant predictors in…

Results indicate that the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) is a valid predictor of achievement for children referred for learning disabilities. The verbal Scale IQ, and the Freedom from Distractibility IQ proved especially useful predictors of academic achievement. (JAC)