Publication Date

Spring 2020

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Ryan Farmer (Director), Dr. Thomas Gross, and Dr. Sarah Ochs

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Specialist in Education

Abstract

School psychologists often consider index- and subtest-level discrepancy scores from intelligence tests when making decisions regarding students’ special education eligibility. Best practices for clinical decision-making indicate that scores may only be considered if they meet an established standard of reliability. Therefore, it is essential to assess whether an interpretation of discrepancy scores can be considered reliable. This research used data provided in the supplemental manual of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition Normative Update (KABC-II NU) to calculate internal reliability coefficients (ICR) for discrepancy scores for each of the sample age group batteries, ages 3-6 and ages 7-18. Subtest-level discrepancy score ICR for ages 3-6 ranged from .61 to .94 and index-level ICR ranged from .00 to .93. Subtest-level discrepancy score ICR for ages 7-18 ranged from .56 to .94 and index-level ICR ranged from .61 to .94. These scores are compared to established reliability standards and a discussion of implications for practitioners is provided

Disciplines

Cognition and Perception | Cognitive Psychology | School Psychology

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