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Research Article
January 1999

Performances of At-Risk, African American Preschoolers on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III

Publication: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
Volume 30, Number 1
Pages 75-82

Abstract

This study examined the performance of 59 at-risk, African American preschoolers on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III (PPVT-III, Dunn & Dunn, 1997). The subjects were considered at-risk based on low-income status and/or social status variables such as family density and teenage parents. A mean standard score of 91 and a standard deviation of 11 were achieved by these children. Although these scores are below those reported for the PPVT-III standardization sample, the performance spread resulted in a normal distribution of scores. Differences in performance based on gender and income were not apparent, but level of education of the primary caregiver significantly influenced performance. The findings indicate that unlike the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R, Dunn & Dunn, 1981) the PPVT-III is a culturally fair instrument that is appropriate for use with this population.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
Volume 30Number 1January 1999
Pages: 75-82

History

  • Received: Feb 10, 1998
  • Accepted: Jul 14, 1998
  • Published in issue: Jan 1, 1999

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Keywords

  1. African American
  2. assessment
  3. vocabulary
  4. at risk

Authors

Affiliations

Julie A. Washington, PhD [email protected]
University of Michigan, Communicative Disorders Clinic, 1111 E. Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2054
Holly K. Craig
University of Michigan, Communicative Disorders Clinic, 1111 E. Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2054

Notes

Corresponding author: e-mail: [email protected]

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