My 8th grade son who has been in LD classes since last year has got his second set of achievement scores from the same test. He took the MAT7 both years. He improved in most areas what I feel is significantly but since I only have grade equivelents was wondering how much improvement it really equates to. Here goes:
7TH grade scores-
Reading 6.3
Math 7.2
Language 4.5
Science 5.0
Social Studies 5.2
Total Bat 6.2
8th grade scores-
Reading 6.5
Math 7.8
Language 11.3
Science 6.3
Social Studies 9.9
Total Bat 7.8
As you can see some of the scores are VERY different. What I find strange is that his reading level did not change much at all but his Science, Social Studies, and especially his language scores drastically changed. I thought reading would effect the areas of science and social studies more then the language? He has received LD language class for 2 years and is in an LD science class this year due to the reading requirements in it. He has had 2 years of LD math, and 1 year of reading. He is in a regular reading class this year. Do these scores seem strange given his backround? His official dx’s are ADD, inattentive, CAPD, and mixed expressive/receptive language D/O. This would appear to be wonderful progress.
Re: 1st set of comparable scores
How odd that those who are responding to your message are named Lisa too. As a Resource Specialist, we rarely rely on grade equivalents. Althought the standardized testing (MAT) may be different from the norm referenced achievement tests we conduct for assessments, grade equivalent scores fluctuate excessively. For example on one subtest your son may get 3 more problems correct and increase by 1 grade level. Did you get raw scores too? I think it is better to look at how many he attempted and how many he scored correctly on. Also, this may also tell you how many problems he didn’t attempt because they were either too difficult or he ran out of time(if the latter is the case, you just need to get him more time next year (and more breaks!)
good luck, lisa
Lisa,
I am not an expert but have learned a little about scores because my son is not progressing despite the school’s version of remediation. First in order to compare them, were the environments the same for both years (was he pulled out into small group, accomodations, or just left in the classroom) This would have to be the same or similar situations in order to compare appropriately. You would definitely want to get the standard scores and the percentile ranks of both years to make better comparisons. From what I understand comparing grade equivalencies is not a reliable measure. But he is still considerably below grade level in several key areas given the fact that it sounds like he has had some specific remediation already. Better than what my school offers anyway. Do you have someone in your district who’s job it is to evaluate test scores? Ours is the curriculum director. Maybe they could help you out.