BEHAVIOR RATING-SCALES - ISSUES OF USE AND DEVELOPMENT

Rating-scale technology is advancing as evidenced by the publication o f a second generation of behavior rating scales and checklists. These instruments are assumed to represent a rater's (teachers, parents, stu dent) summations of recent direct observations and experiences with ta rget children. Such information can be highly relevant for the decisio ns school psychologists are asked to make about children and education al services. Therefore, this article reviews many uses of rating scale s, provides guidelines for selecting and using rating scales, examines the Achenbach scales in some detail as a way to illustrate points abo ut usage and development, and concludes with a discussion about advanc ements in the development and use of rating scales.