Group Differences on the Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test and the Naglieri Non-Verbal Ability Test - Second Edition

Abstract

The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test-Second Edition (NNAT-2) are figural reasoning tests used by many school districts in an effort to diversify their gifted programs. The author of the NNAT and NNAT-2 claims that using these tests will result in similar percentages of racial and ethnic minority students and White students obtaining scores in the gifted range. The Baker County School District, a small rural school district in Baker County, Florida has used the NNAT and NNAT-2 for the 2006-07 through 2015-16 school years to screen all second grade students. Those students obtaining the requisite cut-score were then referred for an individual intellectual evaluation by the district school psychologist to determine eligibility for the Gifted Program. For each school year for the ten year period, statistically significant mean score differences between Black and White students and between all students receiving a free or reduced price lunch (used as a proxy for low socioeconomic status) and all students who did not were manifested. For the 2007-08 school year there was no statistically significant difference in mean IQ between the Black and White samples matched for free or reduced lunch status. For the other nine school years groups matched for free or reduced lunch status exhibited a statistically significant difference in mean IQ. Data for the entire ten year period were combined to obtain more definitive results. The results of this study do not support the claim of the test’s author. Key Words: NNAT; Blacks; Whites; Minorities; Adverse impact; Under-representation; Naglieri; Gifted children