All scores are not created equal!

Let's Talk Assessment Scores - You requested to have your child evaluated by the school and you are reviewing the reports. You see a lot of numbers and you are trying to make sense of what it all means? Most assessments consist of subtests that hone in on particular skillsets. Subtests can range from visual skills, spelling, writing, reading, oral comprehension, etc. A District may combine these scores into what is called a Composite Score. Thorough reports will delineate these scores into subtest scores.

(1) MAKE SURE to ask for the subtest scores. You want to receive all subtests and standard scores so that you can fully analyze your child's strengths and potential weaknesses. Composite scores can give false assumptions into a student's overall picture. Look at the scatter & discrepancies (the wide range of scores).

(2) MAKE SURE to ask each evaluator which subtest they used and WHY (and how they assessed your child). You learn from your questions! You may be surprised to learn that some subtests do not require reading (your child is read to and answers orally), or that some writing subtests do not account for spelling, capitalization or punctuation! You get points for "ideas" and/or simply following the rules of the test (i.e. the written essay can make NO sense - no structure, no punctuation, however, you can "score well" because you follow the rules)!