adaptive assessment definition
By delivering precise, real-time information about every student’s learning triumphs and challenges, we set educators—and students—up for success. We weren’t expecting to see such consistent, major growth for our students across the board. The most current forms of computer-adaptive testing are typically administered online, and because the scoring is computerized, teachers and students can get test results more quickly than with paper-and-pencil tests. It has a short form, a short form for children, and a short form adapted for individuals who are blind. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, a revision of the original Vineland Social Maturity Scale, are distinguished by their heritage as well as by good norms and psychometrics. The Scales of Independent Behavior (SIB-R), revised in 1996, is distinguished by several features. It contains an excellent behavior problem scale in addition to its adaptive behavior assessment, and provides a unique score which reflects overall independence based on adaptive and maladaptive behavior combined. It has norms that extend beyond adolescence -- from 3 months to over 80 years. 1 The tests tailor each question to the knowledge and abilities of the test taker, removing the need for students to struggle with questions that are too difficult or spend time on questions that are too easy. Considered to be on the leading edge of assessment technology, computer-adaptive tests represent an attempt to measure the abilities of individual students more precisely, while avoiding some of the issues often associated with the “one-size-fits-all” nature of standardized tests. Adaptive behavior assessments are often used in preschool and special education programs for determining eligibility, for program planning, and for assessing outcomes. Standardization is the process of developing a test that reliably and validly measures a specific dimension of behavior. Interim assessment guides and tracks learning. Interim assessment happens at select intervals in the school year; its data provide an objective measure of progress toward learning objectives, measure student academic growth, and inform instruction. Behavior problems, often called maladaptive behaviors, are behaviors that interfere with everyday activities. Good adaptive behavior and a lack of behavior problems promote independence at home, at school, and in the community. Computer-adaptive tests are designed to adjust their level of difficulty—based on the responses provided—to match the knowledge and ability of a test taker. If a student gives a wrong answer, the computer follows up with an easier question; if the student answers correctly, the next question will be more difficult.
It represent an attempt to measure the abilities of individual students more precisely, while avoiding some of the issues often associated with the “one-size-fits-all” nature of standardized tests.