Relationship between the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - fourth edition (WISC-IV) subtests and reading ability.

Abstract

This research report attempts to identify the relationship between subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) and reading, using the Neale Analysis of Reading – Revised (NEALE-R). The subtests of the WISC-IV used for this study are Vocabulary, Similarities, Comprehension, Word Reasoning and Digit Span. These subtests have similar properties to the skills needed for reading. The study included a sample of 33 Grade 2 boys and girls attending an English-medium, private school in Gauteng. Parametric and non parametric tests were run on the sample due to the small size of the sample. Results showed statistically significant relationships between variables like the Word Reasoning, subtest and the Similarities subtests. Analyses were also run separately on the gender groups to determine any correlations between specific gender and reading ability. Significant correlations were found between the Similarities subtest of the WISC-IV and the Accuracy subtest of the Neale-R; and Word Reasoning on the WISCIV and Comprehension on the Neale-R. However overall on gender analysis showed a decrease in difference on performance levels between boys and girls.