Career Instruments and High School Students With Learning Disabilities

Abstract

Conventional wisdom in the area of assessment strongly supports the notion that instruments used for vocational or career decision-making purposes should possess sound psychometric properties. This study is a preliminary attempt to examine the reliability and validity of three important career decision-making measures administered to high school students with learning disabilities (LD). Data were obtained from 86 high school students with LD. Correlations were found between the scales in the predicted directions. Modest evidence for construct validity was found. Results found reliability ranging from low (.50) to high (.96). Some significant differences in response patterns were found in t-test comparisons. Specific recommendations for career counseling are discussed, including implications for the assessment process and interventions.