Date of Award

4-1987

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Special Education

First Advisor

Dr. Lonnie Hannaford

Second Advisor

Dr. Betty Patterson

Third Advisor

Dr. Howard Farris

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Abe Nicolaou

Abstract

This study responded to the need for a social skill assessment device specifically for use with early adolescents (i.e., ages 12-15 both regular education and mildly handicapped), that would assist teachers in addressing the social behavior problems experienced by this population.

The purpose of the study was to produce and validate a reliable teacher rating scale for use in: (a) screening adolescents for participation in social skill training programs, (b) measuring the efficacy of social skills training, and (c) measuring the generalization of social skills training to classroom social behavior. Aspects of both traditional and behavioral assessment theory were used in the development of the rating scale.

The study resulted in a scale comprised of 16 of the most problematic social skills for early adolescents. Items were obtained from a review of the social skills literature and from formal interviews of teachers and students. The rating scale was found to have a test-retest reliability of .97 and its content was validated by experts in the field of social skill training.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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