Classroom observation code for hyperactive children: A replication of validity

Replicated the validity of a modified State University of New York at Stony Brook classroom observation code to distinguish normal children from children evaluated as hyperactive by their teachers. 61 6-12 yr olds were observed using the code. All previously obtained code results were cross-validated: The code category cutoff scores clearly distinguished hyperactive from normal children; the combination of categories into dyads yielded better discrimination between hyperactive and normal Ss than did single categories; the behavioral dyad of interference and off task was the most discriminating. Age was inversely related to level of observed classroom behavior, and hyperactive children had greater day-to-day within-S variability than did normals. No observer effect on the children's behavior was found. This replication gives strong support to the reliability and discriminative validity of the code and documents its utility in studies of hyperactive children. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).