INTELLIGENCE AND APTITUDE
DTLA-5: Detroit Tests of Learning Abilities–Fifth Edition Donald D. Hammill • Ronnie L. McGhee • David J. Ehrler AGES: 6-0 through 17-11 TESTING TIME: 40 minutes to 2 hours ADMINISTRATION: Individual SCORING: Online only The Detroit Tests of Learning Abilities–Fifth Edition (DTLA-5) is the oldest and most venerable of the tests of specific mental abilities. The test includes 12 subtests: Humanities/Social Studies, Science/Mathematics, Word Opposites, Word Associations, Geometric Matrices, Geometric Sequences, Sentence Imitation, Word Span, Design Reproduction, Reversed Letters, Trail Making, and Rapid Naming. The results of the subtests can be combined to form nine composites. Six of these composites represent different cognitive subdomains (Acquired Knowledge, Verbal Comprehension, Nonverbal Problem Solving, Verbal Memory, Nonverbal Memory, and Processing Speed). Two composites represent important cognitive domains (Reasoning and Processing). One global composite is formed by combining the results of all 12 of the DTLA-5 subtests and represents general cognitive ability. Examiners can administer the subtests from one or both of the DTLA-5 Domains, depending on the purpose of the evaluation. DTLA-5 STRUCTURE DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The DTLA-5 was built with the AERA/APA/NCME’s 2014 standards for technical adequacy clearly in mind. The test was normed on 1,383 students residing in 30 states and 354 zip codes. The demographic characteristics of the normative sample are representative of the U.S. population as a whole (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2015) with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, household income, educational attainment of parents, and geographic distribution. Norms are stratified by age. NORMATIVE SCORES The DTLA-5 Online Scoring and Report System (provided as part of the DTLA-5 Complete Kit) was designed as a quick, efficient tool for (a) entering test session results; (b) con- verting subtest item scores or subtest total raw scores into scaled scores; (c) converting sums of scaled scores into composite index scores, percentile ranks, and upper and lower confidence intervals; (d) comparing DTLA-5 scores to identify significant intraindi- vidual differences; and (e) obtaining a score summary and narrative report. The DTLA-5 Online Scoring and Report System yields four types of normative scores: age equivalents, percentile ranks, subtest scaled scores, and composite indexes. Percentiles provide the examiner with an index that is easily understood by parents and others with whom the test results are to be shared. Subtest scaled scores are based on a distribution having a mean of 10 and standard deviation of 3. Composite indexes are based on a distribution having a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15. Age equivalents are indexes of relative standing that translate subtest raw scores into what are commonly termed mental ages . RELIABILITY Reliability of the DTLA-5 was investigated using estimates of content sampling and time sampling. Internal consistency reliability coefficients (content sampling) range from .79 to .90 for the subtests, from .87 to .95 for the subdomain composites, and from .95 to .98 for the domain and global composites. Time sampling was investigated using the test–retest technique. Test–retest coefficients range from .72 to .90 for the subtests, from .80 to .92 for the subdomain composites, and from .93 to .96 for the domain and global composites. VALIDITY Evidence of the validity of DTLA-5 test scores is provided for content-description valid- ity, criterion-prediction validity, and construct-identification validity. Content-description validity is demonstrated through careful documentation of subtest and item selection and analysis. A particularly powerful method for demonstrating content-description validity is the use of conventional item analysis procedures, which allow the identifica- tion of good items and the deletion of potentially biased items. Criterion-prediction validity is explored by comparing the results of DTLA-5 with those of other cognitive tests, such as the CAS2, PTONI, SB5, UNIT2, WISC-IV, WISC-V, and
WJ III. New and extensive criterion-prediction validity studies were conducted to dem- onstrate the validity of the DTLA-5’s subtests and composites, including diagnostic accuracy and receiver operating characteristic/area under the curve (ROC/AUC) analyses. Diagnostic accuracy analyses are particularly rigorous techniques for establishing validi- ty involving the computation of a test’s sensitivity index, specificity index, and ROC/AUC. These studies indicated that the DTLA-5 is a highly valid measure of cognitive ability. Construct-identification validity is demonstrated by including studies of age differences, subgroup performance, relationship to achievement, and confirmatory factor analysis of the test’s structure. These studies indicated that the DTLA-5’s internal structure is sound and its results are valid for a wide variety of subgroups, as well as for a general population. CONTROLLING FOR TEST BIAS The DTLA-5 was built to minimize the effects of bias. Numerous steps were taken to detect and eliminate sources of cultural, gender, and racial bias. First, the effects of bias were controlled and minimized through the inclusion of minority and disability groups in the normative sample. Second, reliability and validity information was exam- ined for all these subgroups. A particularly powerful element of content-description validity is the demonstration of excellent internal consistency reliability for the different racial, ethnic, and gender groups. Third, extensive studies of test bias (both differential item functioning and subgroup comparison studies) were conducted, indicating that the DTLA-5 possesses little or no bias in regard to gender, race, or ethnicity. COMPLETE DTLA-5 KIT INCLUDES: Examiner’s Manual, Picture Books 1 and 2, 25 Examiner Record Booklets, 25 Student Response Booklets, and access to the Online Scoring and Report System, all in a sturdy carrying case. (©2018) #14590 DTLA-5 Complete Kit with Online Scoring $718.00 #14591 DTLA-5 Examiner’s Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. 122.00 #14591E DTLA-5 Virtual Examiner’s Manual . . . . . . . . . . ........... 114.00 #14592E DTLA-5 Virtual Picture Book 1 . . . . . . . . . . . ............. 170.00 #14593E DTLA-5 Virtual Picture Book 2 . . . . . . . . . . . ............. 190.00 #14594 DTLA-5 Examiner Record Booklets (25) . . . . . . . . .......... 107.00 #14595 DTLA-5 Student Response Booklets (25) . . . . . . . . ......... 105.00 This is a restricted product. Go to www.proedinc.com for details on user qualifications and to complete the User Acceptance Form.
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2025–2026 ASSESSMENTS | 13
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