COMPARISON OF HUALAPAI SCHOOL-CHILDREN TO NATIONAL NORMS ON MEASURES OF RECEPTIVE VOCABULARY AND VERBAL-ABILITY

Performance differences on receptive vocabulary and general verbal rea soning ability of Hualapai Indians as compared to national norms were investigated. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Revised and the Verb al portion of the Cognitive Abilities Test, Form 4 were administered t o 206 Hualapai Indian children ranging in age from 5 years, 3 months t o 15 years, 7 months. Their performance was compared at each grade lev el to the national norms for these measures. Results indicated that Hu alapai children score significantly lower on both measures of verbal a bility when compared to national samples. Results provide a long-neede d archival record of the English language proficiency of the Hualapai, and support the notion of homogeneity of English language facility ac ross American Indian tribes. Contributing factors to Hualapai and othe r Native American populations' weaker performance on measures of verba l ability are discussed.