Development and Standardization of a Screening Test for Students At-Risk for Learning Disabilities

Kim, Ae Hwa; Shin, Hyun Ki; Yi, Joonsuk; Hwang, Mina; Han, Kyeong Gun; Park, Hyun

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Commun Sci Disord. 2008;13(2): 282-307.

Ae Hwa Kim^` , Hyun Ki Shin^` , Joonsuk Yi^` , Mina Hwang^` , Kyeong Gun Han^` , and Hyun Park^`

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives
The first step toward providing special education for students with learning disabilities (LD) is to appropriately screen students at-risk for LD. However, there are a limited number of screening tests available. The purposes of this study were to develop a research-based, screening test for students at-risk for LD and to conduct a standardization study to examine the reliability and validity of this test.
Methods
Through extensive literature and existing test reviews with feedback from experts and teachers, six scales were developed: (a) reading, (b) writing, (c) mathematics, (d) listening, (e) speaking, and (f) thinking/reasoning. Each item describes specific behaviors associated with students with LD or at-risk for LD. The standardization sample for the screening test included 1264 students.
Results
The results of internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability, and standard error of measurement demonstrated satisfactory reliability. Similarly, the results of content validity, construct validity, and concurrent validity demonstrated satisfactory validity.
Discussion & Conclusion
Results are discussed in terms of the value of the test as a credible screening test to inform educators' efforts to provide instructional support for students at-risk for LD. Instructional suggestions are provided for educators and the limitations of the study are discussed.

Keywords: 학습장애 | 위험학생 | 선별 | 교수 | 표준화 | 신뢰도 | 타당도