Graduate Program

School Psychology

Degree Name

Specialist in School Psychology

Semester of Degree Completion

1999

Thesis Director

Gary L. Canivez

Abstract

The Behavior Assessment Scale for Children - Teacher Rating Scale (BASC - TRS) and the Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents (ASCA) are both teacher rating scales which may be used by school psychologists to assess psychopathology. To date, these scales have not been compared in professional literature, although they assess similar social, emotional, and behavioral constructs. According to research, both scales appear to be technically superior teacher report rating scales. The current study analyzed ASCA and BASC TRS ratings which were completed on randomly selected students between the ages of 6 and 11 (n = 124). Convergent validity was evident; results indicated significant correlations between similar constructs at the Global and Subscale levels. Externalizing behaviors correlated more highly than internalizing behaviors. Both instruments displayed convergent validity; however, each scale remained somewhat unique and individual. Evidence of divergent validity also supported ASCA and BASC-TRS construct validity. The current study also investigated teacher preferences among ASCA and BASC TRS. The only significant preference was found in favor of the shorter length of the ASCA.

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