Criterion-Related Validity of the British Ability Scales Short-Form for Black and White Children

Abstract

Scores for four subtests of the British Ability Scales comprising the Short Form and for the Stanford Achievement Test were compared for a sample of 107 black and white sixth and seventh grade students in the USA. Analysis showed substantial criterion-related validity of the British Ability Scales Short-Form IQ both for the Stanford Complete Battery score and for the Otis-Lennon School Ability Index. Comparison of scores for black and white students showed significant differences on all Stanford scores, on the British Ability Scales Short-Form IQ, and on two subtests, Matrices and Similarities. No race differences were found for the Recall of Digits and the Speed of Information Processing subtests. Significant slope and intercept differences by race indicate that further research on predictive bias is needed.