Concurrent validity of the differential ability scales and the Woodcock-Johnson-III Tests of Cognitive Abilities for young children

Abstract

Validation studies assess how comparable intelligence instruments are with regard to the cognitive abilities they assess. Results derived from such studies are used to make inferences as to how instruments are similar and different regarding the abilities that they are designed to measure. This paper is a review and critical analysis of literature related to the validity of two intellectual assessment instruments often used with young children, the Differential Ability Scales (DAS) and the Woodcock-Johnson-Third Edition Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-III COG). Topics covered in the literature review include issues regarding the assessment of young children, the importance of test validity, and the theoretical foundations of each instrument, as well as their practical use with young children. The purpose of this paper is to propose a study examining the concurrent validity of the DAS and WJ-III COG when used with a sample of young children receiving special education services for speech and language delays.