Both achievement and aptitude tests measure
developed abilities and can be arranged along a continuum according to how dependent the abilities are on direct school experiences.
General intelligence tests
Historically have been the most popular and widely used aptitude tests in school settings.
Achievement tests measure
what has been learned or achieved at a specific point in time.
Aptitude tests are used
to predict the future performance
List the different aptitude tests (3)
Intelligence
special aptitude tests
multiple aptitude batteries
Special Aptitude Test
Employment setting for employers to select job applicants.
Multiple Aptitude Batteries
Measures a distinct ability.
Intelligence
A persons ability to problem solve, abstract reasoning, and acquire knowledge.
Arthur Jensen
1969 wrote an article “How much can we boost IQ and Scholastic Achievement? Assassination plot at Anaheim convention center if he spoke. He did, and police patrolled during speech.
Do Intelligence tests reveal your potential for learning
No, they are predictions.
APA Report “ Intelligence: Knowns and Unknowns” Nessier et al. 1996
7 criticial questions
- genetics contribute to development of intelligence, genetic difference not known
- environmental factors contribute to intelligence, influence not known.
- Nutrition is a factor, how much not known
- Information Processing speed correlates to intelligence
- Flynn Effect is real, mean IQ is increasing world wide, not sure why.
- Mean IQ difference between races cannot be attributed to test bias in socioeconomic status.
- Standardized intelligence test does not measure all capabilities.
Aptitude Test
Designed to measure cognitive skills, abilities, and knowledge that individuals have accumulated as the result of their overall life experiences.
School IQ Controversy
- Mean IQ difference among Ethnic groups. In California due to test bias many IQ tests are not used and Placement tests are not implemented. It’s based on public perception not psychometric facts.
- Can IQ be Increased: Historians believe genetics play a part in IQ feel humans are doomed to Increase IQ. 2004 federal law Individuals with disabilities says IQ tests can help diagnose learning disability
Binet-Simon Scale
AKA Stanford-Binet
1905
Problems arranged by difficulty and assesed a wide range of abilities.
- Sensory perception
- Verbal Comprehension
- reasoning
- judgment
- short term memory
Army Alpha and Army Beta
Aptitude Tests
1915-1920
Alpha was verbal
Beta nonverbal
used to assess and classify recruits
College Entrance Exam Board (CEEB)
Developed the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
To determine objective criteria for college admission. Prior acceptance was acquired by legacy.
Wechler- Bellvue
has different versions for age groups, including preschool (WPPSI), school aged children (WISC), and adults (WAIS).
Mainly used by schools and psychologist
Aptitude and Intelligence tests in schools
- Alternative measures of cognitive abilities reflect info not captured form standardized tests.
- Help educators tailor instruction to meet student strengths and weaknesses.
- Assess how well students profit from school experiences..
- Identify underachievers or learning disabilities.
- Identify gifted students
- help guide students and parents with vocational planning.
Aptitude Achievement Discrepancy Analyisis
mid 1970’s
Determining a specific learning disability.
-practice employed in schools and in clinical settings.
Individuals with disabilities education act of 2004
Aptitude achievement discrepancy in California
mandates that aptitude achievement discrepancy can no longer be required for diagnosis of learning disabilities in public school settings. Other state, local and federal and private agencies continue to recquire the discrepancy.
Response to Intervention (RTI) for learning disabilities
page 290 for list of negatives of RTI
- Students are provided with “generally effective” instruction by their classroom teacher.
- their progress is monitored
- Those who don’t respond get something else or more from the teacher or someone else.
- progress is monitored
- those who still dont respond either qualify for special education or for special education evaluation.
Diagnosing Mental Retardation/Intellectual Disability
3 reasons
Most commonly diagnosed in public school setting.
- Category Mild Mental Retardation , associated with IQ’s ranging from 55 to 70, majority of cases of mental retardation.
- Mild mental retardation may not be evident until a child begins the formal schooling process and experiences broad failures compared to others.
- Mental retardation is considered broadly under the category of development abilities and a key criteria for diagnosis is the characteristics and evidence of the disorder.
Mental Retardation diagnosis
IQ tests score 2 standard deviations below the mean.
College Admission Test
Predicts academic performance in college.
