Child and Family Outcomes Chapter 4:

Using Assessment Tools in the Child Outcomes Measurement Process

Entry & Exit Sample Information

Two Types of Assessment Measures

Standardized tests (norm-referenced tests)

Criterion-referenced tests

Standardized Tests

Compare a child’s performance to a larger group

Useful because they:

Provide information on how the child does in relation to other children

Use standardized administration process

May be used to determine IEP eligibility

Criterion-Referenced Tests

Compare a child’s performance to specific performance standard

Useful because they:

Measure performance on specific objectives

Allow a direct link between assessment and intervention

Provide information on strengths and emerging skills

Help teams plan and meet child’s individual needs

Meet recommended assessment practices

Measure intra-child progress

May be used to measure program effectiveness

Caution

Most developmental test are domain based on not specifically designed to assess functional outcomes

This information needs to be used in conjunction with other sources of information

Test scores do not directly translate to meeting or not meeting functional outcomes

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