Using the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist, the behavior of 95 middle school children was rated by two groups of teachers. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated a low degree of relationship between ratings by the two groups. Teacher ratings for each child were then recoded as 1 (normal). 2 (mildly deviant), or 3 (highly deviant). The number of cases in which both groups agreed in identifying deviant children was determined. Results indicate little agreement between the two groups of teachers in identifying children who were either mildly deviant or highly deviant. Several recommendations are offered concerning the use of behavior rating checklists in the diagnostic process.
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