Summarizing Student Achievement

Summarizing the Results of a Single Assessment

  1. Raw Score

    1. # or point value of correctly answered items

  2. Criterion-Referenced Score

    1. Specifically indicates what a student knows or can do

  3. Norm-Referenced Score

    1. Score that indicates how a student’s performance compared with the performance of others

  4. Age-Equivalent Score

    1. Test score matching a particular student’s performance with the average performance of students of a certain age

      1. Similar problems as grade equivalent scores

Derived or Transformed Scores

  1. Percentile Ranks

    1. Percentage of students in norm group that scored lower than in a particular score

  2. Grade Equivalents

    1. Relate students’ raw score to average scores obtained by norm group at different grade levels

Standard Scores

  1. Derived scores that are based on their position on the normal curve

  2. Normal curve/distribution

    1. Symmetrical distribution of scores with the majority falling near the mean (average) and progressively fewer away from the mean

Standardized Tests

  1. Achievement Tests

    1. Standardized, norm-referenced, individual or group administered

  2. General Scholastic Aptitude and Intelligence Tests

    1. Intelligence test

    2. Measures capacity to learn

  3. Specific Aptitude and Ability Tests

    1. Standardized achievement tests for particular subject area

  4. School Readiness Test

    1. Designed to determine whether or not children have acquired cognitive skills important for success in K or 1st grade curriculum

    2. Many problems with regard to reliability, validity, and treatment utility

Using Portfolios

  1. Collection of a student’s work systematically compiled over a lengthy period of time

    1. Consider content

    2. Consider scoring criteria

NCLB and High Stakes Testing

  1. NCLB (2001)

    1. Mandates regular assessments of basic skills to determine whether students are making adequate yearly progress in relation to state-determined standards in reading, science, and math

    2. Included accountability

  2. High Stakes Tests

    1. Single test used to make important decisions regarding student performance and/or school personnel