Suggests that early identification should not focus on predicting which children will fail, but should concentrate on determining which skills children need in order to be successful in reading. (JM)

Concern about typical early identification procedures used with kindergarten children to predict potential reading failure is expressed in this paper. A diagnostic procedure for screening kindergarten children and then prescribing an individualized program for each child is described. The screening battery--Prediction with Diagnostic Qualities…

This paper presents the initial efforts in the development of the Prediction with Diagnostic Qualities (PDQ) instrument. The contents include: "Evidence Relating to Correlational Items," which discusses the concepts of correlation, statistical significance, and the more commonly used criteria or tests used for prediction and…

After a review was made of the literature related to early identification of reading problems, a battery of diagnostic tests was constructed of receptive and expressive language elements assumed necessary for success in reading. After pilot work and revisions, the battery (PDQ) was administered to 916 entering kindergarten pupils by their…