SPYF 515 Introduction to Tests and Measurement

This course provides an in-depth exploration of standardized instruments, including questionnaires, inventories, and scales, used to assess cognitive, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning in students. Candidates will learn about the theoretical and practical basis for evaluating and using the wide range of test and measurement data in educational research. The purposes of assessment and decision making will be covered and the psychometrics of various published norm-referenced tests will be analyzed. Topics include measurement concepts, test standardization, formal vs. informal assessments, and scoring methods. Students will become familiar with different types of standardized assessments, like cognitive, non-verbal, social-emotional, adaptive, and early childhood assessments, including ASD and twice-exceptional evaluations. Emphasis is placed on ethical considerations, contextual and linguistic factors, and the challenges posed by test publisher access restrictions. Effective report writing and evidence-based assessment practices will also be covered to support student needs. This course has an experiential learning component in the schools.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Admission to the Ed. S. School Psychology Program or permission of program director. Undergraduate introduction to statistics course recommended.

Corequisite

None