NATIONAL FIELD TESTING OF THE “MINI” VERSION OF THE TRANSITION COMPETENCE BATTERY FOR ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO ARE DEAF

Abstract

The results of a national field test of a shortened version of the Transition Competence Battery for Deaf Adolescents and Young Adults (TCB)— the “Mini” TCB—are described. The items comprising the Mini TCB were identified through item parameter analyses of the original field-test data from each of the six subtests in the TCB. Test items utilize a three-option multiple choice response format and are presented visually on videotape in sign language. Persons are tested in small groups (4 to 8 at a time), and testing takes roughly 1 hour. A total of 593 participants who are deaf representing 33 residential and mainstream high school, community college, and 4-year college sites were involved in the field testing. Data were analyzed for the items representing each of the six subtests. Internal consistency reliability for each of the six subtests was acceptable, but the test-retest indices were lower. Performance on the items representing the six subtests discriminated among distinct subgroups within the field-test sample. Performance on the items representing the six subtests was correlated with performance on each of the full subtests in the TCB in a positive and statistically significant manner. Overall, the results suggest that the Mini TCB is a viable assessment tool that can be used in transition assessment of adolescents and young adults who are deaf.