The RCDS was developed to screen for depression in children and can be used in schools (Grades 3-6) or in clinical settings. It provides school and mental health professionals with a straightforward, easily administered measure for the evaluation of the severity of children's depressive symptoms. The RCDS can also be used in research on depression and related constructs.

• Written at a 2nd-grade level (items are read aloud to assist students in Grades 3 and 4).
• 30 items are rated on a 4-point scale.
• Hand scorable for individual or group administration.
• Reliability coefficients range from .87 to .91.
• Total sample alpha reliability of .90 and split-half reliability of .89.
• Validity consistently demonstrated in field testing since 1981.

The Professional Manual provides basic information on the diagnosis and measurement of depression, a description of the RCDS and its development, normative information, and guidelines for interpretation.