Full Name of the Test

 Preschool Language Scale-3 (PLS-3)

Authors

 

Pond, Roberta Evatt; Stei ner, Violette G.; Zimmerman, Irle Lee

Year of Publication

1992

Publisher

The Psychological Corporation - Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc

Current Cost (include a list of additional materials such as score forms, etc.)

Picture manual, Examiners manual, 12 Record Forms= $159.00
Separately:   Picture manual=$99.00, Examiners manual=$55.00, 12 Record forms=$31.50   @www.psychcorp.com/catalogs/sla/sla006atpc.htm

Purpose of the test

 

 

The purpose of the test is to measure language development of young children (receptive and expressive).

Ages for whom the test is intended

 

2 weeks through 6 years, 11 months

List Subtests

 

 

 

 

Articulation Screener; Language Sample Checklist; Family Informatio n and Suggestions Form

Describe the normative sample

 

 

More that 1900 children in 40 states and the D.C. area were included in the standardization, reliability, and validity studies.   The PLS-3 sample included 1200 children ages 2 weeks to 6 years, 11 months.  Within each age level, 50% were male and 50% were female participants.   Sample was based upon 1980 Census on the basis of educational level of primary caregiver, geographic region (northeast, north central, south, west), and race

Are the norms appropriate for use in Boone?

Norms would be appropriate for use in Boone because data is based on a national sample of children of similar ethnicity and geographical location.

Describe how reliability was established

The PLS-3 reliability coefficients were obtained using Cronbach's coefficient alpha.  A standard error of measurement is also used to give a range for a child's "true" score (confidence interval).  Test-retest stability  was conducted, the between test interval ranged from 2 days to 2 weeks, with a mean of 4.7 days between the 2 testing sessions.

Describe how validity was established

Content validity is judged based upon the scope and sequence of the PLS-3 tas ks, which are grouped by category of skills assessed.  Construct validity was determined by a discriminant analysis and a study of the relationship between subscales.   Concurrent validity was established by comparing scores on the PLS-3 with scores on other assessments.

Describe a situation for which it would be chosen over the other tests

It would be chosen if the individual to be tested was under 3 years of age, or below 1 year of age.   The PLS-3 could be chosen over other test when test validity is an issue.  The PLS-3 conducted validity studies with several popular instruments in order to document validity.   It could be chosen if an individual had already been assessed using one of the assessments used in the PLS-3 validity studies to provide comparable or comparative results.

Describe a situation for which it should not be chosen over the other tests.

It would not be chosen if articulation is not a concern, or if family information cannot be obtained.   Based on the tasks, it would not be chosen for someone with severe visual impairments, nor over assessments specifically designed for persons with severe physical or hearing impairments