1. CHAPTER 4: Test Scores and What They Mean
Assessing Students with Special Needs
Fifth Edition
John J. Venn
University of North Florida
© 2014, 2007, 2004 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

2. Overview Types of Scores Criterion-Referenced Scores
Norm-Referenced Scores
Principles of Using Scores

3. Overview Numerical result of testing
Provide an efficient and effective way to describe student performance
Teachers use a variety of scores for different purposes

4. Types of Scores Raw Scores Simple number results
Criterion-Referenced Scores
What the student knows or can do
Norm-Referenced Scores
How well the student performs compared with other students

5. Criterion-Referenced Scores
Simple Numerical Reports
8/10 correct on a teacher made test
Percent Correct Scores
75% on the midterm exam
Letter Grades
Includes alternative grading for students with special needs
Graphs
Visually illustrate scores

6. Norm-Referenced Scores
Age and Grade Scores
Describe student performance using grade equivalents and age levels
Widely used
Often misinterpreted
Percentiles
Ranks students from 1 to 99
Scores between 30 and 70 are in the average range
Best all-around score for general use

7. Norm-Referenced Scores
Growth Scale Values
Accurate measurement of progress over time
Standard Scores
Based-on the normal curve
Quotient scores
Intelligence quotients (IQ)
Mean of 100, standard deviation of 15
Scores between 85 – 115 are in the average range

8. Principles of Using Scores
Understand the score
Be familiar with the scores you use
Consider all available information
Use scores together with other information
Use caution
Especially with low scores
Communicate effectively
Explain scores in practical, understandable ways

9. Summary Scoring is a key assessment process
Almost all tests and assessments provide some type of score report
Norm-referenced scores are formal and standardized
Criterion-referenced scores are less formal
Scoring is complex and complicated
Pitfalls exist
Standards and principles provide guidance for accurately using scores