Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, Stanford Achievement Test, and Three Demographic Variables as Predictors of Achievement in Grades 2 and 4

• Published in: The Journal of educational research (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 1982-07, Vol.75 (6), p.366-373, Article 366
• Main Authors: Antonak, Richard F., King, Susan, Lowy, John J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achievement tests; Correlations; Demographic analysis; Grade 4; Intelligence quotient; Mathematical constants; School districts; Standardized tests; Statistical variance; Students
• ISSN: 0022-0671; 1940-0675
• DOI: 10.1080/00220671.1982.10885411

A series of multivariate statistical analyses was used to determine what relationships exist among three demographic variables, the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test (OLMAT), and the Stanford Achievement Test (SA T) at Grades 2 and 4. Data were obtained from the second grade classes in 1977-78 (V = 91) and 1979-80 (V = 103), and from the 1979-80 fourth grade class (/V = 91) in a rural middle income school district in southeastern New Hampshire. The best predictor of achievement at either Grade 2 or Grade 4 was the IQ variable alone. The correlations among the SAT subtests led to questions concerning that test's construct validity and its use for differential diagnosis of educational problems of children. Among the Grade 2 variables, the best predictor of achievement at Grade 4 was the SAT; IQ was a negligible factor. Detailed study of the correlations between the OLMAT and SAT did not support the continued use of the group IQ test as part of the district's comprehensive testing program; the costs expended cannot be justified by the value of the information obtained.