Teacher and observer ratings of children's social skills: Validation of the Social Skills Rating Scales

Investigated the test/retest and interrater reliability and the construct validity of the social skills rating scales—teacher (SSR—T) developed by F. M. Gresham et al (see PA, Vol 74:17143 and 23501), using 60 students from Grades 1–5. The SSR—T is an experimental version of a series of multirater, multifactor scales for rating the frequency and importance of children's social behavior. Results indicate that the SSR—T had high test–retest reliability over a 6-wk period, was internally consistent, and had moderate interrater reliability. The construct validity of the SSR—T was established by comparisons with a behavior problem checklist and teacher ratings of academic performance. Data are reported on grade level differences in social skills, teachers' ratings of the importance of behaviors, and the relationships between behavior ratings and direct observations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)