The Bender Gestalt as a Group Screening Instrument for First Grade Reading Potential

Abstract

The group Bender Gestalt Test (BGT) was administered to 311 beginning first graders (158 boys and 153 girls). Teacher ratings of reading achievement and information regarding the presence or absence of prior kindergarten experience were also obtained. The Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests were used as the criterion measure of year-end reading achievement. BGT cut-off scores were used to predict good, average, and poor reading potential. They were significant at the .001 level of association for year-end reading achievement. The BGT was especially accurate in predicting good reading performance. Teacher judgments and BGT performance were also significantly associated, as were prior kindergaten attendance and BGT performance. This study revealed many sex differences which have important implications for screening programs.