“Cultural Bias in WISC Subtest Items: A Response to Judge Grady’s Suggestion in Relation to the PASE”, Tong-He Koh, Aurelius Abbatiello, Caven S. McLoughlin1984 (IQ)⁠:

This study has sought to determine empirically whether 7 items from the Information and Comprehension subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children discriminate against any racial groups. These items were singled out by Judge John F. Grady in his opinion in the PASE (Parents in Action in Special Education) case, as being culturally biased against black children.

A stratified random sample (n = 360) of test protocols of Chicago public school children who were referred for a psychological evaluation were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. These children were part of the sample being considered by the judge.

Main comparisons of percentage passing items for race, sex, and age groups showed no statistically-significant differences. Error analyses showed no statistically-significant “cultural” differences between white and black children, in that none of the responses that were said to be likely to occur from blacks were evident.

See Also:

• An examination of culture bias in the Wonderlic personnel test

• The Problem of Bias in Psychological Assessment

• Emotional Intelligence among Black and White Job Applicants: Examining differences in test performance and test reactions

• Sex differences in general knowledge

• An investigation of measurement invariance in the WISC III: Examining a sample of referred African American and Caucasian students

• Assessment Of Factor Models Underlying The WISC-III In White, Black, And Hispanic Subgroups Of The Standardization Sample