The Differential Ability Scales were developed as an evaluation tool for the cognitive ability and achievement of children. Psychologists depend on the DAS-II to provide insight into the manner in which a child processes information, giving solutions to fix learning problems.
For testing, the participants from the ages of 2-6 or 11-1 years must respond to 63 multiple-choice items. There are four different forms for the test: Preschool, School-Age, Cognitive Battery, School Achievement. Approximately 45-60 minutes is required for completion.
Author
Colin D. Elliott
Reliability and Validity
Reliability coefficient for the DAS are all reported very high – average 0.90 to 0.94 for Preschool Level and 0.95 for School Age Level. A score of 0.79 to 0.94 is associated with the test-reliability, also very high. The DAS scale has been correlated with the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Ability (MSCA) showing the highest ratings with the Verbal, Perceptual-Performance, or Qualitative scales in the DAS. In addition, the WISC-R Full Scale IQ correlated highly with all the school age level subtests, specifically with the Verbal ability cluster. The SB-IV also showed strong correlation for ages of 9 to 10.
Where to Purchase
http://pearsonassess.com/haiweb/cultures/en-us/productdetail.htm?pid=015-8338-820
References
Braden, J. P. (1992). The Differential Ability Scales and special education. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 10, 92-98.
Elliott, C. D. (1990). Differential Ability Scales. San Antonio, TX: The Psychologica.
Elliott, C. D. (1990). The nature and structure of children’s abilities: Evidence from the Differential Ability Scales. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 8, 376-390.
Elliott, C. D. (1990). Differential Ability Scales. Introductory and technical handbook. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Harcourt Assessment. Differential Ability Scales-II (DAS-II) Product Page. Last accessed 14 March 2007.
Dissertations and Journals
David E. McIntosh & Betty E. Gridley (1993). Differential Ability Scales: Profiles of Learning-Disabled Subtypes. Psychology in the Schools, v30, n1, 11-24.
Elliott, Colin D. (1990). The nature and structure of children’s abilities: Evidence from the Differential Ability Scales. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. Vol. 8(3), 376-390.
Timothy Z. Keith, Kimberly J. Quirk, Cindy Schartzer, Colin D. Elliott (). Construct Bias in the Differential Ability Scales? Confirmatory and Hierarchical Factor Structure across Three Ethnic Groups. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment.
Related Scales
