Identifying at-risk preschoolers: The discriminant validity of the differential ability scales

✍ Scribed by David E. McIntosh

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 36 KB
• Volume: 36
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0033-3085
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6807(199901)36:1<1::aid-pits1>3.0.co;2-2

✦ Synopsis

The discriminant validity of the Upper Preschool Level of the Differential Ability Scales (DAS) was studied using 32 at-risk preschoolers (females ϭ 14, males ϭ 18) with a mean age of 57.28 months (SD ϭ 4.43) and 30 normal preschoolers (females ϭ 13, males ϭ 17) with a mean age of 56.40 months (SD ϭ 6.46). The results indicated that the DAS was an excellent measure to use when trying to differentiate between at-risk and normal preschoolers. The DAS could reliably identify, better than chance, whether a child was at-risk or normal. Specifically, the General Conceptual Ability score was found to be approximately 77% accurate in correctly classifying at-risk from normal preschoolers. In addition, the use of the DAS in an abbreviated format by selecting specific core and/or diagnostic subtests during the preschool screening process was strongly supported.