NCJ Number
118495
Date Published
1988
Length
11 pages
Annotation
These guidelines explain the instruments used in determining the cognitive abilities and actual levels of school achievement of adolescents referred for psychological evaluations.
Abstract
These measurements are important because of the central place of school performance in an adolescent's life. Intelligence tests are a subject of controversy because of the lack of an agreed-upon definition of the concept of intelligence. However, Wechsler's views provide a frame of reference. Wechsler defines intelligence as an individual's overall capacity to comprehend the world and deal effectively with its challenges. IQ scores do not directly measure innate intelligence and reflect the individual's current level of functioning rather than unchangeable ability. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -- Revised (WISC-R) was published in 1974 and is used to assess individuals aged 6 through 16. Another scale assesses individuals aged 16 through 74. Examiners should try to establish rapport before administering an IQ test. They should also use a five-step approach in the interpretation of the results, focusing first on the Full Scale IQ score, and then on the verbal scale and performance scale differences, the intersubtest scatter, and the intrasubtest scatter. Other educational assessments include tests of academic achievement, the Wide Range Achievement Test, and the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-educational Battery. Tables.