This article reported the concurrent, predictive, and diagnostic accuracy of a computer-adaptive test (CAT) and curriculum-based measurements (CBM; both computation and concepts/application measures) for universal screening in mathematics among students in first through fourth grade. Correlational analyses indicated moderate to strong…

This study examined the relation between benchmark data and rate of growth across the year for reading, math computation, and math concepts and applications curriculum-based measures, and a statewide and large-scale achievement test. Results showed that reading and math benchmarks were significantly and moderately correlated with performance on…

Over many decades, the efforts of researchers to understand key issues in the reading performance of those children most at risk for developing later reading problems has been relentless. This article presents the author's commentary to three studies: (1) Vanderwood, Linklater, and Healy (2008); (2) Edl, Jones, and Estell (2008); and (3) Baker et…

In 2000, as part of an invited symposium celebrating the start of the new millennium, the author was asked to write an article for "School Psychology Review" in which he tried to look ahead to where the field of school psychology needed to focus its energy in addressing the academic skills problems of children in schools. The article noted that…

Eighty-three students enrolled in general education classrooms and 62 Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs) enrolled in bilingual education classrooms were assessed in reading English three times a year using curriculum-based measurement. Fluency in Spanish passages was also assessed for Spanish-speaking ELLs in the bilingual education…

A variety of coding schemes are available for direct observational assessment of student classroom behavior. These instruments have been used for a number of assessment tasks including screening children in need of further evaluation for emotional and behavior problems, diagnostic assessment of emotional and behavior problems, assessment of…

Over the past decade, curriculum-based assessment (CBA) has received substantial attention in the empirical literature as a reliable and valid method for assessment of academic skills problems. Despite this attention, there have been only limited studies on the use of CBA by school-based professionals. The present study reports the outcomes of a…

Compares four methods of assessing children's friendships-peer nominations, peer ratings, reciprocal peer nominations, and social networking. Results found that there was high agreement between reciprocal peer nominations, peer ratings, and the social networking procedure. Implications of these results for use by school psychologists are…

Argues that the typical school psychology approach of solving problems one student at a time will not be successful in impacting the big problems of illiteracy, technological and mathematics deficiencies, writing, and problem solving. Proposes that the need to build academic competence and resilience through early intervention and prevention…

Explores the relationship between experimental design method and teacher-rated acceptability of two analog approaches for assessing academic skills problems. Comparisons indicate that curriculum-based assessment was consistently rated as a more acceptable method of assessment than published, norm-referenced tests. Results are discussed in relation…

Examines the use of grade versus goal level reading material on curriculum-based measurement (CBM) progress-monitoring procedures. Students were administered CBM reading passage probes from both grade and goal level material. Rate of progress was indexed in each level of materials. Results indicate that the amount of progress observed varied as a…

Assesses the effects of curriculum on technical features of survey-level curriculum-based measurement (CBM) in reading. Results indicate that correlation between survey-level CBM and reading comprehension is similar regardless of material used for assessment. Also, developmental fluency rates are similar. Results support the use of CBM…

The effects of independent, interdependent, and dependent group contingencies in increasing spelling performance of two classes of sixth grade students were compared using an alternating treatments design. Results suggest that all three contingencies substantially improving spelling performance on daily tests. (Author/LMO)

This paper discusses classroom variables as an academic ecology; describes how linking assessment to effective intervention requires an understanding of this ecology; reviews procedures for assessing the academic ecology including classroom observations, teacher interviews, and examination of permanent academic products; and presents a case study…

Procedures to help prevent academic failure are discussed: (1) peer tutoring; (2) the Adaptive Education Learning Model; (3) Direct Instruction and Behavior Analysis; (4) Strategy Training; and (5) other cognitive behavioral techniques and self-management. Potential barriers to implementing prevention programs are discussed. (SLD)