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Predictive Validity of the SAT on Two Handicapped Groups: The Deaf and the Learning Disabled SAT

Author(s):
Jones, Douglas H.; Ragosta, Marjorie
Publication Year:
1982
Report Number:
RR-82-09
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
52
Subject/Key Words:
Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Predictive Measurement, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Validity Studies, Assessing People with Disabilities

Abstract

Because of the ambiguity of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, with regard to the need for predictive-validity studies of admissions tests for handicapped persons, a preliminary study was undertaken. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the predictive validity of the SAT for deaf students at one institution and learning disabled (LD) students at another. SAT scores and measures of high school and college performance were obtained at each institution for both handicapped and nonhandicapped students. Additional descriptive information was obtained for the handicapped groups. The SAT scores of deaf students (when available) were significantly lower than the verbal and mathematical scores of the hearing students and tended to under predict deaf students' college performance. The combination of high school grade point average and SAT scores predicted performance equivalently for deaf and hearing students. For the learning disabled, the SAT verbal score and the high school and college performance measures were all significantly lower than those for the non-LD students. The SAT validity coefficients for the two groups were not statistically significantly different. The combination of high school rank and SAT scores produced a lower validity coefficient for LD students than for non-LD students. Since these were preliminary studies, no implications are being drawn pending further research. (52pp.)

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