Now that viewers have completed the video module series and learned about the bias and psychometric flaws inherent in standardized tests, Cate asks evaluators to change the clinical practice. Read More
Category: Standard Deviation (SD)
A standard deviation (SD) is a quantity derived from the distribution of scores obtained in a normative sample. The standard deviation is the average distance (or deviation) from the mean. If the mean score is 50 and the average distance of the normative sample scores from 50 is 15, then one standard deviation is equal to 15 in this sample. Standard deviation is also a measure of how closely centered scores are around the mean. If scores are widely distributed, the average distance (i.e., standard deviation) will be further than if they are closely centered around the mean.
How do we Know a Disability Exists? (Preschool Disability Evaluations: Module 27)
This module explains that the administrator must be able to “see” that the child has a disability, based on the data and examples included in the evaluation. Read More
Holograms Part 2 (Preschool Disability Evaluations: Module 23)
This module sets the standard for a competent evaluation. Read More
Holograms Part 1 (Preschool Disability Evaluations: Module 22)
This module discusses the necessary data and information that must be in every evaluation so that the administrator can feel comfortable giving the child an IEP or not. Read More
Critical Questions 5 & 6 (Preschool Disability Evaluations: Module 20)
This module presents the next two of nine critical questions that must be asked during the caregiver interview. Read More
Standard Error of Measurement and Confidence Intervals (Preschool Disability Evaluations: Module 10)
This module examines the role of standard error of measurement in standardized language and psycho-educational tests. Read More
Relevant Research: Selection of Preschool Language Tests: A Data-Based Approach
Source URL: View this document on the ASHA website
This article demonstrated that despite the 10 years that had passed between the publication of McCauley and Swisher (1984) and this article, the vast majority of commercially available norm-referenced tests did not provide psychometric measures deemed necessary in order to establish a test as valid.
Relevant Research: Psychometric Review of Language and Articulation Tests for Preschool Children
Source URL: View this document on the ASHA website
This was one of the first of many articles publishing research demonstrating the severe limitations of using commercially available child language tests when assessing children for speech and language disability. Read More
