Screening Young Children's Social Behaviors

This study examined decision reliability associated with estimates of risk status for 114 first grade students. The study focused on social behaviors as measured by the School Social Behavior Scales (SSBS) and Social Skills Rating System (SSRS). Overall, the decision reliability between the two measures designed to assess social behaviors was moderate when social behaviors were rated by the teacher and low when assessed by alternative raters (i.e., teacher versus parent). Screening practices that include alternative assessment methods (such as interviews and observations) should be considered by special services personnel in addition to traditional standardized procedures.