General Information

The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) is a coordinated system of instruments that evaluates the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of children and adolescents. It focuses on assessing both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. The BASC consists of 5 components: a self-report scale; a teacher rating scale; a parent rating scale; a structured developmental history; and a form for the recording and classifying of classroom observation. Information below pertains to the parent rating scale for ages 12-18. General population norms are included. This scale measures adaptive and problem behaviors in school, home and community settings.

Number of Versions:	8
Version:	Parent Version (ages 12-18)
Author(s):	Cecil R. Reynolds, Randy W. Kamphaus
Date of Publication:	1992
Material(s) Needed for Test:	Instrument
Manual:	Available
Time to Administer:	15 minutes
Charge for one form or kit:	Yes

Purpose and Nature of Test

Construct(s) Measured:	Aggression, Hyperactivity, Conduct problems, Social skills
Population for which designed:	Age Range: 12 through 18 years old
Method of Administration:	Group and Individual
Source of Information:	Parent
Subtests and Scores:	Aggression, Anxiety, Attention Problems, Atypicality (Psychoticism), Conduct Problems, Depression, Hyperactivity, Learning Problems, Somatization, Withdrawal, Externalizing Problems Composite, Internalizing Problems Composite, School Problems Composite, Behavior Symptoms Index, Adaptibility, Leadership, Social Skills, Adaptive Skills Composite
Number of Items:	130
Type of Scale:	Likert

Technical Evaluation

Norms: 

Sample Size:	1,090
Population:	12-18 year old children in public schools, private schools, and daycare centers in Western, Northern Central, Southern, and Northeastern U.S.
Culture/ethnicity:	African-American, Asian-American, Caucasian, Hispanic/Latino, Native-American, Other
SES Level:	Not reported by author(s).

Reliability: 

Psychometric information:	Provided for Subscales.
The range of Test-Retest Value:	0.70
The range of Inter-rater reliability:	0.67
The range of Internal consistency:	0.80 to 0.90

Validity: 

 Criterion validity was assessed and found to be acceptable.

Practical Evaluation

Scoring Procedure:	Manual and Computer Scoring
Examiner Qualifications and Training Required:	Doctoral Degree
Permission Required to Use Instrument:	Yes
If yes, by whom:	American Guidance Service

Notes

Original Reference(s):	Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (1992). Behavior Assessment System for Children: Manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance.
Other Reference(s):	Sandoval, J., & Echandia, A. (1994). Behavior Assessment System for Children. Journal of School Psychology, 32 (4), 419-425. Doyle, A., Ostrander, R., Skare, S., Crosby, R. D., & August, G. J. (1997). Convergent and criterion-related validity of the Behavior Assessment System for Children - Parent rating scale. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 26 (3), 276-284.
Other:	Parent version also available in Spanish.
	Reviewed in the Buros Institute, Mental Measurements Yearbook. http://www.unl.edu/buros/

Contact

Organization:	American Guidance Service
Address:	4201 Woodland Road
City:	Circle Pines
State:	MN
Zip:	55014-1796
Phone:	(800) 328-2560
Fax:	(800) 471-8457
E-mail:	customerservice@agsnet.com
Website:	http://www.agsnet.com/

Last updated by Violence Institute of New Jersey:  February 2007