The Z-Score Discrepancy Method for Identifying Reading Disabled Children

Abstract

Scores on the Slosson Intelligence Test (SIT) and the Slosson Oral Reading Test (SORT) were compared for reading disabled children from two samples of third grade children selected by three objective methods. The Years Below and the Bond and Tinker methods selected children whose SIT and SORT scores were below the means for the entire samples. The third method, the Z-score method, identified children with SIT scores above the sample means and SORT scores below the sample means. The Z-score method was discussed as a useful additional technique for identifying reading disabled children in the early elementary grades.