“Success” in First Grade as Seen by Teachers: Gough's Adjective Check List and Teachers' Ratings

As part of a larger study teachers were asked to check adjectives on the Gough Adjective Check List which describe the boys they had rated high and low on a teacher rating scale, Success in First Grade. Sixty positive items and 20 neutral items were checked significantly more for high boys than they were for low boys. Sixteen negative and 36 neutral items were significantly more often checked for low boys. The possible halo effect and/or behavioral characteristics of the child were discussed.