Graduate Program

School Psychology

Degree Name

Specialist in School Psychology

Semester of Degree Completion

1999

Thesis Director

Gary L. Canivez

Abstract

The Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales (PKBS) and the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), Teacher Form, at the Preschool and Elementary Levels, are fairly new instruments that purport to evaluate children's prosocial abilities and deviant problem behavior. Little research exists comparing the two instruments. Both scales have been determined to be globally technically adequate. However, the research has been limited thus far. The purpose of the current research was to further investigate the relationship between the two scales. A sample of children (n=136) in west central Illinois public and private preschools were used to collect the data. Of these, 64 children in the 3:0-4:11 age range were used to compare the PKBS and the SSRS, Teacher Version, Preschool Form. Additionally, 72 children ages 5:0-6:11 were used to compare the PKBS and the SSRS, Teacher Form, Elementary Level. Convergent and divergent validity of the two scales were analyzed through a correlational investigation. Results indicated correlation coefficients between .50 and .83 for scales assessing similar constructs. Convergent and divergent validity were supported on a global scale for both the SSRS and the PKBS. There were some findings of specific interest. The SSRS consistently rated children with higher levels of problem behavior than did the PKBS. Additionally, the correlation coefficients were consistent across both forms of the SSRS. High positive correlations were found among many of the subscales that purport to measure the same construct. There were appropriate inverse relationships as well. This information is beneficial to educational professionals who are striving to use the most accurate and objective instruments in measuring a child's social skills.

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