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

julieaw{at}umich.edu

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.

KEY WORDS: African American, assessment, vocabulary, at risk

Submitted on February 10, 1998
Accepted on July 14, 1998

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