Chapter 8: Achievement and Aptitude Assessment

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium

Organization that specifies guidelines for assessments measuring the Common Core standards

Developmental Age Score

A score calculated from the Gesell Developmental Observation-Revised which identifies a child's individual development and associated abilities relative to typical growth patterns.

Education for All Handicapped Children Act

A public law passed in 1975 which required that all public schools that receive federal funds provide handicapped children and adults ages 3-21 with an education in the "least restrictive environment."

Common Core State Standards

A set of standards developed by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to identify the expectations of achievement for individuals in kindergarten through Grade 12 in both language arts and mathematics in order for students to be appropriately prepared for success in college and workforce training programs.

High-stakes testing

A term used to describe a situation in which the results of a single assessment are used to make an important decision.

Specific aptitude tests

A type of aptitude test which focuses on one aspect of ability.

ACT

A widely used achievement test measuring skills and knowledge taught in high school that is used as an entrance exam for undergraduate studies.

GRE revised General Test

A widely used scholastic aptitude test used in evaluating an applicant for graduate admissions.

New SAT

Also known as the SAT Reasoning Test

KeyMath 3 Diagnostic Assessment

An individually administered achievement test used to assess mathematics concepts and skills.

Multilevel survey achievement batteries

Assessments composed of a series of subtests used to measure achievement in certain areas at once.

Intellectual and cognitive functioning tests

Assessments which measure an individual's overall intellectual ability, memory, processing ability, and perceptual ability.

cognitive ability tests

Instruments designed to measure cognitive ability and focus on cognitive skills.

diagnostic achievement tests

Instruments used in conjunction with intelligence tests to diagnosis a learning disability and assess learning difficulties.

Mechanical aptitude tests

Instruments used to measure the ability to learn mechanical principles and use of reasoning skills to solve mechanical type problems.

Readiness assessments

Instruments which measure an individual's readiness for moving forward which are often administered with kindergarten students to ensure they are ready to move to first grade.

Scholastic aptitude tests

Tests used by schools and universities in making decisions about admission, course placement, and scholarship offers for students.

Multiaptitude tests

Type of aptitude test which measures more than one aspect of ability.