Criterion Referenced Test: Assessing Students

March 13, 20121 Comment

The Assessment

A criterion referenced test is designed to examine a student’s knowledge in a specific area. These assessments test based on a scale of the student knowing nothing of the subject, a zero, and the students mastering the topic, a one hundred percent. Although most students may not get perfect scores or a completely failing score, the ideal is for most students to fall around a final score of eighty-percent. A criterion referenced test is different from a norm-referenced in that students are not competing against each other and the final scores are not based on student’s peers score on the assessment, rather these assessments are knowledge based on mastery alone. This makes the tests more reliable as they are designed to not include prejudices of race, culture, or social economic status.

Validity of a Criterion Referenced Test

A criterion referenced test is valid only to that which they are testing. An example, found on Wikipedia, stated that because one achieves a perfect score on a driving exam (a standardized criterion referenced assessment) that it in no way indicates that the person is able to drive safely. This is why along with the written exam there is a driving portion. With this example in mind, the criterion-referenced test is simply a mastery of knowledge and does not necessarily mean that the individual can apply the knowledge in the same matter.

Content

A criterion referenced test can include content from a wide array of areas, such as a driving exam or a chapter exam. They are normally designed with at least four items assessing the knowledge of each specific skill. They can be used to measure readiness to move on or can be used both before and after training to assess how much was really learned. The tests are usually graded in a percentage, which can be interpreted as the percent of mastery for the designated purpose of the assessment.

End the R-Word

March 8, 20121 Comment

This is a great short clip about choosing better language. It’s worth a watch! It’s something all of us could work to improve as there are many offensive words out there that might mean more to a person than simply what you are saying. Let’s all think a little bit more about the words that come out of our mouths and end the r-word.

Asperger’s Syndrome: What the Experts Say

March 6, 2012Leave a comment

Asperger’s syndrome, AS, is a disorder on the autism spectrum. It was first recognized sixty years ago by Hans Asperger. It effects one in three hundred people with ninety-percent of those effected being male. Some characteristics of it are “low capacity for communication, and social interaction, restricted and repetitious stereotyped behavior” such as rocking (Asperger, 2005).

Although many see the disorder as “not a disability, but a difference” (Asperger, 2005), it has also been observed by those effected by it that they do not naturally express verbally their non-verbal experiences. As some one diagnosed with it, Gladstone (2005) feels that it is important to teach children at a young age how to write about past experiences without cramming every last detail about the environment into the paper. Coursey (2005), another person effected by Asperger’s Syndrome, through his son, notes that those with it have no internal dialogue. This perhaps affects the reasoning and abbreviating done naturally by those not affected with the disorder. Both Coursey and Gladstone agree that individuals with and without Asperger’s Syndrome can learn a lot from one another. Gladstone (2005) feels that both should be aware of the idea of going from an abstract thought to a concrete fact and back again, as most humans naturally do. This self-awareness can help both while writing and relating past to present experiences.

By looking at people living with the disorder, educators can get an even better perception of their students with this diagnosis. This allows the educators to get a better idea of what is going on inside the child’s head.

References

Asperger’s Syndrome.(2005, February). Harvard Mental Health Letter, 21 Issue 8, 4-8, 2p.

Coursey, Charles. (2005, July). Asperger’s Syndrome Could be a Character-Builder. ETC: A Review of General Semantics, 62 Issue 3, 308-309, 2p.

Gladstone, Kate. (2005, July). Response to Charles Coursey’s Commentary. ETC: A Review of General Semantics, 62 Issue 3, 310-312, 3p.

Should I be Concerned About My Child’s Development?

March 1, 2012February 29, 20121 Comment

As a parent, you always wonder at what point should I be concerned. As a parent, I spend so much time comparing my children to the other ones on the play ground, playgroup, or child care, but how do I know when to really seek out help for my child and what the real repercussions are for your child’s future.

First pinpoint what your child’s specific needs are. For our son, he is a wiz at language and learning. You say something no matter how silly the word might be and he absorbs it, but give him a physical challenge and there’s a decent chance it will be a real struggle for him. So gross motor is a need for him but…
Is it something we really need more help for. Check your child’s development according to their age not their peers. Our son is actually not behind it just isn’t his strength, but considering both of his parents are far from athlete’s this is not really surprising.
It is important to remember every child is different. There are children who do things like learn walking slower because they are focusing more on developing other areas, like fine motor or speech. See what your child’s next gross motor goals could be then work with them to achieve these. If you still have concerns, go ahead and check with your doctor for more information and a possible referral for an assessment.
Seek Help. If your still unsure, talk to your doctor and if you still feel you might need more help, seek a development pediatrician. It’s your job to be your child’s advocate, so don’t leave any stone unturned.

A Child With Needs

Early child development from a mom and professional.

Month: March 2012