Who becomes an "at-risk" student? The predictive value of a Kindergarten Screening Battery

This study was undertaken to determine whether a preschool screening instrument could predict whether kindergarten students would later be retained, referred to special education, or placed in special education. The results of Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF) screening on 161 kindergarten students were examined. Students who had been retained, referred to special education, or placed in special education demonstrated significantly lower EPSF pretest scores except in the gross motor modality. All EPSF modalities were statistically significant predictors of students' status; however, other factors such as family support network, preschool experiences, and motivational factors must be considered in evaluating whether a student is "at risk" of later school failure.