Achievement Tests

1
Achievement Tests

• Designed to measure actual academic performance
  rather than propensity
• Woodcock-Johnson-III
• Reading Comprehension, word attack, vocabulary
• Oral Language story recall, understanding
  directions, picture vocabulary
• Math Speeded math problems, math word
  problems,
• Written language spelling, writing fluency,
  writing sample
• Grade equivalent vs. age equivalent scores

2
Other achievement tests

• WIAT
• WRAT
• Spelling
• Reading (word recognition)
• Math
• Quicker to give than WJ-III

3
Learning Disorders

• Learning disorders occur in specific academic
  areas
• Spelling, reading, math are typical
• Lower than expected functioning given IQ
• Testing
• IQ test
• Achievement test
• Compare results
• Dyslexia
• The debate

4
Diagnosing MR

• IQ
• Adaptive Functioning
• Vineland Scales
• Onset before age 18 (usually earlier)
• Amniocentesis
• Can detect genetic defects
• Can damage fetus
• Maternal blood serum test
• Can detect neural tube defects, trisomies,
  mircrocephaly, spina bifida
• False positives

5
Examples

• Susan, 11-y.o. 6th grade IQ 110. Reading 105,
  Oral lang 115, Writing 10 Math 85
• Juan 12-y.o., 7th grade IQ 85, Reading 90,
  Oral lang 80, Writing, 75, Math 78
• Mary 8-y.o., 3rd grade IQ 90, Reading 110,
  Oral lang, 115, Writing 104, Math 107
• Tomas 7-y.o. 2nd grade IQ 105, Reading 110,
  Oral lang 100, Writing 105, Math 110

6
ADHD

• Can be trickier to test for
• Often show evidence of LD
• Must also have behavioral symptoms across
  settings
• Connor Rating Scale http//www.modern-psychiatry.c
  om/rating_scale1.htm
• Eli-Lilly http//www.adhd.com/adults/adults_add_s
  creener2.jsp

7
ADHD
"The clinical features of ADHD include the
following the individual has difficulty
sustaining attention is easily distracted
often does not seem to listen often shifts from
one uncompleted activity to another often loses
things necessary for tasks often interrupts or
intrudes on others has difficulty awaiting turn
in groups often blurts out answers to
questions often engages in physically dangerous
activities without considering the consequences o
often talks excessively has difficulty playing
quietly has difficulty remaining seated
often fidgets or squirms in seat has
difficulty following instructions. Where eight
or more of these apply, ADHD is likely to be
present."