CA legislature passes law banning use of demographically-adjusted ("Heaten") norms for IQ tests to identify intellectual disability (ID)

The California Legislature has changed the definition of ID  to be less racially biased.  In particular, it now bans the use of  demographically adjusted or "Heaton" norms.    See story here...where a link is provided to download the PDF.

"Just say no" to race- or demographically-adjusted IQ norms in the Dx of ID: Post made at ICDP sister blog

Previously, I coauthored an IAP Psychometric Brief (#14) with Dr. Dale Watson on the inappropriate use of "demographically adjusted norms" (aka, the Heaton norms) to adjust IQ scores upward based on an individuals race.  I was pleased last week to see a law review article devoted to this practice--an article that also concludes that the use of "ethnic" or "race" or "demographically" adjusted norms are inconsistent with scientific and legal principles.

The excellent American University Law Review article (IQ, INTELLIGENCE TESTS, “ETHNIC ADJUSTMENTS” AND ATKINS) is by Robert Sanger (click here to view).

AP101 Brief #14: Inappropriate use of demographically-adjusted (Heaton) norms in MR/ID Dx

The following AP 101 brief was just posted at the ICDP blog.

Applied Psychometrics 101 Brief # 14:  Demographically adjusted neuropsychological (Heaton) norm-based scores are inappropriate for the diagnosis of MR/ID

Kevin S. McGrew, PhD.

Director

Institute for Applied Psychometrics (IAP)

Dale G. Watson, PhD.

The Wright Institute

Berkeley, CA