Test Review: Wechsler, D. (2005) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Four Edition Spanish. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Four Edition Spanish (WISC IV Spanish; Wechsler, 2005) is described by its authors as an individually administered measure of intelligence for Spanish speaking children who are English language learners and relatively new to American culture. At the same time, the WISC IV Spanish continues "the tradition of the Wechsler intelligence scales" (p. 107) by developing a "Spanish language instrument equivalent to the WISC IV in the scores produced, and through items that elicit the same response processes and measure the same constructs" (p. 51) The WISC IV Spanish, like its English counterpart, the WISC IV (Wechsler, 2003) is composed of three types of subtests: core, supplemental, and optional. The 10 core subtests make respective contributions to the Verbal Comprehension (VCI) Perceptual Reasoning (PRI) Working Memory (WMI) and Processing Speed (PSI) Indices, as well as the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) or overall intellectual ability estimate. Unlike other Wechsler scales, the WISC IV Spanish does not include a General Ability Index (GAI) However, because the GAI is composed of VCI and PRI subtests, its use could be limited with a second language population because of verbal confounds. The WISC IV Spanish norms span the ages of 6 years, 0 months through 16 years, 11 months. The test is described in the manual as being useful in the assessment of general cognitive functioning, intellectual giftedness, mental retardation, and comprehensive educational or neuropsychological evaluations designed to profile strengths and weaknesses. Authors further report that the WISC IV Spanish can contribute to treatment planning and placement decisions in both school and clinical settings. Among test materials are a manual written in English and three easel style stimulus books with general subtest directions/descriptions in English and specific subtest directions or those spoken directly to the child being evaluated, as opposed to those written to guide the examiner in administration in Spanish. Because the WISC IV Spanish was designed for use by bilingual psychologists, the combination of languages is adequate. In addition to the manual and easels, the test kit includes scoring templates for the Coding, Cancellation, and Symbol Search subtests; a red pencil for administration of the Symbol Search subtest; a number 2 pencil without an eraser; and a small box containing the Block Design cubes. Response forms that accompany the WISC IV Spanish include the record form and two response booklets, one specific to the Cancellation subtest and the other to the Symbol Search subtest. Age based norms are provided for subtests, index scores, and the FSIQ. Scaled score equivalents (M 10, SD 3) are available for subtests. Standard score equivalents (M 100, SD 15) and U.S. population percentile ranks, as well as percentile ranks adjusted for the child's years of education in the United States and their parents' educational level, are Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment Volume 25 Number 3 September 2007 285 314 (c) 2007 Sage Publications http:/jpa.sagepub.com hosted at http:/online.sagepub.com