Topic
LARRY LUCILLE V. RILES (IQ testing for Education Placement)
Instructions
Review through point #35 of the Larry P. vs. Riles Supreme Court document in our weekly readings folder. In a two-page reaction paper, defend your view as to whether or not the state of California was negligent in its use of IQ testing for educational placement. What potential misuses of psychological tests are evident in this case? What are the potential ramifications of the decisions made on basis of test scores? Do you see the practice of psychological testing any differently after reviewing the case?
Paper submission requirements:
- Your submission should be 2-3 pages in length
- Use correct APA formatting for in-text citations
- Title page with running head and references page
Answer Preview
The potential ramification of the decisions made based on the test scores is that even students that are not mentally retarded are forced into a system that requires them to study in slow pace than other students. Hence, at the end of the day, they seem lesser than other students as they will be seen as less intelligent (Larry P. v. Riles, 1978/1984). Hence, it is imperative to consider other factors before determining that the score of the standardized tests is the final resort for the students. Secondly, such test scores are discriminatory as they were only based on one race, which means that when the white children are given the same standardized test some of them may test as low as the black children, especially if the circumstances of their life are the same.
Word Count: 600