DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING
School of Education
Pittsburg State University
SPRING 2009
_______________________________________________________________________
Course Number: Psych 803
Title: Intellectual Assessment
Credit Hours: 3
Course Time Schedule: M: 3.30-6.20
Instructor: Dr. Jamie Wood
Office Phone: 235-4193
Office: 205G Whitesitt
Cell: 704 9136 e-mail:
jwood@pittstate.edu
Graduate Asst.: Ian Cizerle-Brown
marajade81@hotmail.com
(620) 704-1660
Office Hours: M: 1-2; T: 930 – 12, 330-430; W: 1-2; 330-430; TH: 330-430; F: 10-11.
I am often available other times, but call to check first. Do not hesitate to ask for extra
help--those who do often develop stronger skills. Also, feel free to ask me to meet with
you at times that are more convenient for you. I will be honest and tell you whether or not
I am able to. Finally, I will be missing one week during the semester to present research at
a national conference. Research is important and expected of faculty in our department. I
appreciate your understanding.
_______________________________________________________________________
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to impart the basic competencies needed to administer, score, and
interpret the major individual intelligence tests. Five tests are specifically highlighted:
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – 4th Edition (WAIS-IV); Wechsler Intelligence Scale
for Children – 4th Edition (WISC-IV); Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of
Intelligence – 3rd Edition (WPPSI-III); Stanford-Binet Fifth Edition (SB5); and Universal
Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT).
II.
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PREREQUISITES
Psych 722 Fundamentals of Tests and Measurement
enrollment in a practitioner graduate program
permission from graduate advisor
permission from instructor
III.
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The primary purpose of the course is to develop psychometric skills, focusing on
administering, scoring, interpreting, and reporting individual intelligence tests
IV.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Persons completing this course will have competencies in:
 selecting appropriate tests for assessment of intellectual functioning
 administering, scoring and interpreting the WAIS-IV, WISC-IV, WPPSI-III, SB5,
and UNIT
 writing psychological reports for each of the preceding instruments
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applying concepts of reliability and validity to a testing situation
applying cultural and ethnic factors to the reliability and validity of a testing situation
applying ethical principles of APA and NASP to the assessment process
V.
REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS
 Sattler, J.M. (2001) Assessment of Children, 4th Ed., Sattler
 Sattler, J.M. (2004) Assessment of Children: WISC-IV and WPPSI-III Supplement,
Sattler
 WAIS-IV, WISC-IV, WPPSI-III, SB5 and UNIT protocol sheets (Packets of protocols
can be purchased - at cost- from the department at the beginning of the semester).
 VI. INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
WAIS-IV, WISC-IV, WPPSI-III, SB5, and UNIT test kits
Test kits are available for loan through the department. They can be checked out at the
beginning of the semester and must be returned by the last class period. Grades will not
be issued to any group of students who have not returned all of their test kits. Students are
responsible for replacement cost of any kit materials that are lost or damaged. There is a
lab fee for ALL students enrolled in the course, due during the first class period of the
semester. This fee helps ensure that test materials are available to students each semester.
Any student who does not pay the lab fee will be dropped from the course.
VII. TEACHING STRATEGIES
Classes will involve lecturing, presentation of sample cases, and discussion of
information presented in class, assigned readings, and testing experiences. Applied
practical experience with extensive written feedback from the instructor will be an
integral component of the learning process.
VIII.
REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
A.
ATTENDANCE
Regular class attendance is expected of all students. The instructor reserves the right to
drop you from the course for missing class more than once. Please be on time since most
evenings we will use every minute of our class time.
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B.
ACTIVITIES
Administer and score 20 IQ tests (see attached schedule)
Submit 10 psychological reports (see attached schedule)
Administer one demonstration IQ test to the instructor (pass/ fail basis); This
assignment if a source of anxiety for many students. It is common for students to have
to attempt it more than once. This is designed to let you know what skills you are
developing and those on which you can improve. Some students pass the first time
while some take it three times before passing. Your credit for this assignment is not
affected by how many times you take it before passing.
C.
EXAMINATIONS
A mid-term and a final examination will be given. Examinations will be a combination
of short answer and essay and will cover both class material and readings.
D.
SCORE POSTING AND GRADING
 Assignments will be returned to students the class period following each due date
 Letter grades will be assigned to reports and protocols as follows:
A =4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0
 your final course grade will be determined by exam scores and by overall
competency, with major emphasis on mastery, administration, scoring and
interpretation of the Wechsler scales, the SB5, and UNIT
 Competency also includes:
a. Your professional and ethical deportment (ask if you are unsure about this)
b. Your preparation for class and testing
c. Your ability to accept and incorporate suggestions and constructive criticism
 Approximately 1/3 of the course grade will be based on test scores; 1/3 on reports;
and 1/3 on weekly work and material proficiency
 Credit will not be given for late assignments unless PRIOR arrangements have been
made
IX.
COURSE CONTENT/SCHEDULE
TENTATIVE Course Outline:
DATE
TOPIC
1/26/09
Introduction, Professionalism, Review of Statistical Concepts
General Test Administration
(Ch 2, 3, 4)
2/2
WISC-IV Development and Administration
(Supplement, WISC-IV Manual)
2/9
WISC-IV Interpretation
(Supplement)
WISC-IV Protocol
2/16
Basic Interviewing
(Ch 21)
Report Writing/ Feedback
WISC-IV Protocol, WISC-IV Report (results only)
2/23
WAIS-IV Development and Administration
(WAIS-IV Manual)
WISC-IV Protocol; WISC-IV REPORT
3/2
WAIS-IV Interpretation
(WAIS-IV Manual)
2 WISC IV Protocols; 1 WISC-IV Report
3/9
WPPSI-III
(WPPSI-III Manual, Supplement)
2 WAIS-IV Protocols; 1 WAIS-IV REPORT
3/16
Spring Break!!! Enjoy!!!
3/23
MIDTERM EXAM (Additional time with the instructor regarding report
writing questions is available from the instructor after everyone has
finished the exam.)
WPPSI-III Protocol; WAIS-IV Protocol; No Reports
3/30
UNIT (UNIT Manual)
WPPSI-III Protocol; WAIS-IV Protocol; WPPSI-III REPORT
4/6
SB5 Development and Administration
(SB5 Manual)
UNIT Protocol; WAIS-IV Protocol; WAIS-IV REPORT
4/13
SB5 Interpretation
WAIS-IV Protocol; UNIT Protocol; SB5 Protocol
4/20
Individual appointment Demonstration IQ Test (To be scheduled with your
instructor)
SB5 Protocol; UNIT REPORT
4/27
Other Commonly Used Tests
SB5 Protocol; WISC-IV Protocol; SB5 REPORT
5/4
Special Populations
(Ch 19, 20)
SB5 Protocol; SB5 REPORT
5/11
FINAL EXAM
WAIS-IV REPORT
Total Protocols:
WAIS-III
6
WISC-IV
6
SB5
4
WPPSI-III
2
UNIT
2
Important Note: If you prefer, you may do 7 WISC-IV’s and 5 WAIS-III’s or vice-versa.
Total Reports:
WAIS-III -3; WISC-IV -3; SB5 -2, WPPSI-III -1; UNIT -1
Guidelines for Testing:
 All examinees must be volunteers unless you have specific permission from the
instructor to test in a school, clinic, hospital, or institution. Written consent must be
obtained for all test administrations. You may not test your own family members.
When testing children, written parental permission must be obtained. You are NOT
authorized to present yourself as a representative of the University or Psychology and
Counseling Department for any purpose. Do not approach schools, hospitals,
clinics, etc. to obtain volunteers. You are not to test any child or adult who is
currently (or in the near future) in the process of being evaluated by a school,
clinic, etc. Protocols and reports on such individuals will receive a 0 and may
result in dismissal from the course.
 YOU ARE NOT TO RELEASE TEST SCORES TO ANYONE (except the
instructor, graduate assistant, and classmates) without the permission of the course
instructor. Parents and examinees must be told beforehand that the test results cannot
be disclosed to them. In addition, general comments such as “She’s doing fine”......
“He’s about average” should NOT be made. Tell the examinee or parent that you are
learning to administer the test and are not sure how reliable the results might be.
Additionally, parents and others are NOT permitted to observe the testing situation.
In recruiting subjects it is permissible to stress that it will be a challenging learning
experience and that most people find it a pleasant and positive experience.
 Similarly, you are to make NO recommendations for psychological or medical
treatment to the examinee or parent based on your findings. (You may, of course,
make such recommendations to the instructor in your written report!) Should you
have difficulty in coping with a particularly anxious parent or examinee who
continues to pressure you, consult the instructor.
 The material you obtain from the examinee is confidential. Treat it as such. Do not
discuss the examinee or test results outside of the class. (PROFESSIONALISM
STARTS NOW!)
 VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE GUIDELINES DESCRIBED ABOVE MAY
LEAD TO PROMPT DISMISSAL FROM THIS COURSE.
 Try to test an equal number of males and females
 It may be useful to arrange to give a WISC-IV, SB5, and UNIT to the same child,
thereby giving yourself an appreciation for the differences between the instruments
using the same volunteer.
Guidelines for Psychological Reports:
 Reports must be typed, double-spaced.
 Follow the general outline given in class.
 Number each protocol in the upper right hand corner
 Carefully proofread each report before submission. Check math calculations, age,
spelling, etc. Your report is expected to be of a professional quality and points will
be deducted for careless work.
 All reports must be turned in at the beginning of the lecture on the date due. Late
reports will not be accepted unless PRIOR arrangements have been made. Dates for
the protocols and reports are listed on the assignment sheet.
 Keep reports and test materials in a safe place.
 Do not put subject’s name on protocol or report. Either use the first name and initial
of their last name or use a pseudonym to protect confidentiality.
 Record subjects’ responses neatly. If this is problematic, copy the responses on to a
second booklet later. The scoring accuracy cannot be checked unless the booklet is
readable.
 Fasten permission form and Coding pages, etc to the inside of the front cover of the
record form with a paper clip. Protocols and reports will not be accepted without all
attachments fastened.
 At the end of the semester, students will be required to return all graded protocols and
reports, to be kept on file in the department of psychology and counseling. Students
may keep copies of any of these materials for their own records.
Special Concerns: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some
special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact me as soon as
possible to make necessary accommodations.