A Study of the Predictive Utility of SEARCH as a Means of Early Identification of Potential Learning Problems

The purpose of this research study was to assess the predictive utility of SEARCH, a screening instrument for the identification of potential learning problems. The 46 subjects of this study were drawn from the kindergarten and first grade population of Norfolk Christian School, a private independent school in Norfolk, Virginia. Both concurrent and predictive criterion validity were assessed using the statistical analyses of Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and stepwise multiple regression. The results of this study revealed a significant positive correlation between the number of SEARCH subtests passed and the Metropolitan Readiness Test composite raw score. Correlational analysis also yielded slight but significant relationship between the number of SEARCH subtests passed and first grade achievement as measured by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) Comprehensive Testing Pro­gram. An analysis of the predictive utility of each of the SEARCH subtests revealed unequal contribution in predicting achievement.