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 self 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:	Self-Report (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:	35 minutes
Charge for one form or kit:	Yes

Purpose and Nature of Test

Construct(s) Measured:	Aggression
Population for which designed:	Age Range: 12 through 18 years old
Method of Administration:	Group and Individual
Source of Information:	Self
Subtests and Scores:	Anxiety, Attitude to Teachers, Atypicality, Depression, Locus of Control, Sense of Inadequacy, Social Stress, Interpersonal Relations, Relations with Parents, Self-Esteem, Self-Reliance, School Maladjustment Composite, Clinical Maladjustment Composite, Personal Adjustment Composite, Emotional Symptoms Composite
Number of Items:	130
Type of Scale:	Forced choice

Technical Evaluation

Norms: 

Sample Size:	4,448
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:	0.76 to 0.80
The range of Inter-rater reliability:	Not assessed
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.
	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