Predictive validity of the Dortmunder Entwicklungsscreening fur den Kindergarten (DESK 3-6)

To examine the predictive validity of the Dortmunder Entwicklungsscreening fur den Kindergarten (Dortmunder Development Screening for Kindergarten; DESK 3-6) we tested in a longitudinal study how well learning and behavior problems in second-grade students were predicted by preschool screening in the last year of kindergarten. Preschool teachers screened 136 six-to five-year-olds with the DESK 3-6 and the Verhaltensbeurteilungsbogen fur Vorschulkinder (Behavior Assessment Test for Pre-School Children; VBV 3-6). In addition, the preschool teachers assessed the development of the children in various areas of development. In the second school year, the school achievement in reading and mathematics as well as behavior problems during the lessons by an assessment of teachers was measured. The majority of children with learning and behavioral problems was detected by the preschool screening in the last year of kindergarten. The DESK 3-6 allows a more reliable prediction of learning and behavioral problems in the second school year than the assessment of cognitive, language and social development of the preschool teachers.