Graduate Program

School Psychology

Degree Name

Specialist in School Psychology

Semester of Degree Completion

Spring 2024

Thesis Director

Gary L. Canivez

Thesis Committee Member

Assege HaileMariam

Thesis Committee Member

Jeffrey R Stowell

Abstract

This study is designed to assess the relationship between two brief intelligence tests, the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales-Second Edition (RIAS-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2015) and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence-Second Edition (WASI-II; Wechsler, 2011), through evaluating their ability to similarly measure intellectual skills. These two tests measure an individual’s overall general intelligence. Both tests are able to assess individuals aged 6-90. The WASI-II publisher specified this test was only a screener while the RIAS-2 is not. Tests like the RIAS-2 and WASI-II are more time efficient allowing more time to be spent on other professional responsibilities. Manuals from both tests report comparisons with “comprehensive” intelligence tests to assess the convergent and discriminant validity. There is only one independent study comparing the RIAS-2 and WASI-II. This present study (N = 60) was a replication and examined the convergent and discriminant validity of the RIAS-2 and WASI-II with male and female students between the ages 6 to 19 years old. Participants included students referred for an evaluation due to learning and/or behavioral concerns of Special Education consideration with parent permission and/or student volunteers with parent permission. Results were generally supportive of the construct validity of the RIAS-2 and WASI-II. The results revealed strong convergent validity support for full scale composite scores as well as verbal estimates. There was moderate convergent support for nonverbal estimates. The dissimilar IQ scales were correlated to a lesser degree. Using these assessments may be more efficient and cost effective.

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