CAS 215 Chapter 3: checklists and rating scales

What is Inter-rater Reliability?

.. having more people observing to reduce the risk of error.

rating scales are used to understand...

...conduct, motivation, and effort.

rating scales are used to describe

...the degree to which behaviors or traits are believed to be present

Disadvantages to Checklists and Rating Scales?

1. Can be subjective, since developmental terms can have ambiguous references. (relies heavily on the interpretation of the observer) 2. Limited to observing milestones 3. Do not focus on the specifics of an event 4. No supporting documentation 5. Should never be used alone for evaluation or analysis

Checklists are used when there are many behaviors observed...

1. descriptive characteristics such as developmental traits 2. social/emotional behaviors or skills 3. the child's interests 4. specific academic skills 5. specific knowledge of concepts

Checklists and rating scales for children with special needs?

1. to screen for special needs or to identify a possible condition that will need further evaluation 2. to identify the specific deficits that may make inclusion difficult 3. helpful for the families of children with special needs in identifying what their needs are.

what is Validity?

Whether a test measures what it is supposed to measure.

what is Reliability?

Whether a test will give consistent results when given appropriately.

what is Criterion Referenced?

a test with items relating to what the child is being taught at a specific time.

what is Norm Referenced?

a test with items that are considered appropriate for an average developing child.

Checklists can be useful in understanding...

children's development and in developing curriculum.

what is a Readiness Checklist?

in determining a child's mastery of "readiness," teachers can make readiness checklists that is appropriate to the curricular goals of the kindergarten program in order to inform preschool curriculum and tell kindergartner teacher the needs of the children for the next class.

Teachers in nursery schools, early child care settings, and kindergartens use checklists to determine a child's...

mastery of "readiness" skills as a means of determining placement recommendations.

Administration of scales can be by...

observation, interview, or direst administration.

Checklists and rating scales are formal assessments that typically measure...

the child's developmental performance against a set of predetermined criteria.

Checklists and rating scales have a defined scope, meaning...

they look at specific skills and abilities.

What is a descriptor?

what observer marks the child's performance on each criterion on a list.