L3 Assessing Intelligence: A Perspective from Educational Psychology

Question 1

What do educational psychologists do?

Answer 1

Consultations
Assessments
Intervention
Training
Research

Question 2

Why is assessment important?

Answer 2

Know the value of educational providers
Progress of children monitored to ensure that interventions are effective
Closing the attainment gap - level up opportunities

Question 3

What are the curriculum-based tests?

Answer 3

Standardised tests at 7 and 11
All schools try to reach 80% expectation in literacy and numeracy

Question 4

How does socio-economic status effect progress?

Answer 4

Pupils eligible for free school meals made less educational progress between 11 and 16
Percentage of school meals had increased from 13.6% in 2018 to 20.8% in 2022
Micro factors all play a part too

Question 5

What are psychometric assessments?

Answer 5

Psychological measurements - scores on a test are compared to a comparison group, strength of abilities can be judged relative to other students

Question 6

What are curriculum based assessment?

Answer 6

Concerned with comparing a students performance with criterion linked to curriculum
Can be gathered systematically over time and in a variety of settings
Gathered through consultation and evaluation results

Question 7

What are dynamic assessments?

Answer 7

Less about standardisation and measurement as the assessor is involved in the assessment process

Question 8

What did Alfred Binet do in his life 1857-1911?

Answer 8

Published the first ability test
Measured by a range of tasks that represent a child’s abilities
Originally assessed to find those that need additional assistance but ended up finding the feeble minded
They got sent to institutions to prevent reproduction

Question 9

What is the British Ability Scale 3?

Answer 9

A psychometric test
Demonstrate the relative strengths of a child’s verbal, non-verbal and spatial abilities
Cognitive ability can be calculated by combining these scores
A percentile score between 16 and 84 is considered average

Question 10

What re the four principles of psychometrics that must be followed?

Answer 10

Reliability - the extent to which different measures agree
Validity - if the questions are relevant
Standardisation - compare scores with group norms
Freedom from bias - should not show group differences that are disproportionate from the test as a whole

Question 11

What are the scepticisms around measurements of intelligence?

Answer 11

Theoretical - how can a single construct predict progress in literacy and numeracy
Practical - how can a norm-based measure help to adapt teaching
Moral - could the measurement of intelligence be inequitable in its treatment
Ideology - have some of the interpretations been used in racist ways
Pedagogical - would a concept of a child having a fixed level of ability discourage teachers

Question 12

What is a dynamic assessment?

Answer 12

Teaching from a skilled other can create buds of development
Scaffolding (Wood 1976)
The child responds well to hand over hand mediation when practising letter formation