Matrix of Diagnostic Evaluation Assessments

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Matrix of Diagnostic Evaluation Assessments
There are several tests used in special education learning and teaching. These tests are used to evaluate the performance of a learner, and to understand the level of help that the learner needs. Four of the most effective tests are described below:
Behaviour Rating Scale
The behavior rating scale is used by Naglieri, LeBuffe, & Pfeiffer published in 1993. The rating focuses on the behavior of the child and rates the performance on a scale of 1-5. The evaluator or parent seeks for information and ratings from several people who know the child, and a summary rating is obtained. The rating indicates the frequency of behavior to occur.
Adaptive Behavior Scale
The scale used is the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (2nd Ed.) (Vineland-II) (Sparrow, Cicchetti, & Balla), published in 2005. The scale is used to identify children with intellectual disabilities by assessing the child’s response to functional behavior like communication, motor skills, and academics.
Individual Academic Achievement Tests
Before placement into special education, a child is evaluated on the ability to perform academically, undergoing tests involving arithmetic, oral and written skills and specified school subjects. This helps determine the key area the child has issues. It is administered by the teacher or an evaluator. The test used is the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (2 Ed.) (WIAT-II).

IQ Tests
The Intelligence Quotient tests are used to determine the student’s competitiveness in academics by comparing the results with a norm-referenced value. The tests carried out are technical, including verbal skills, motor skills and visual resonance (Rosenberg et al. 3). The scale used is the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ III).
NAME OF RESOURCE DATE OF PUBLICATION TEST ASSESSED BRIEF DESCRIPTION
AGE/GRADE LEVELS TYPE OF SCORES YIELDED
Naglieri, LeBuffe, & Pfeiffer 1993 Behaviour Rating Scale
Assesses the behaviour and performance Elementary 1-5 norm-referenced
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (2nd Ed.) (Vineland-II) (Sparrow, Cicchetti, & Balla) 2005 Adaptive Behaviour Identifies intellectual disabilities by assessing adaptive functional skills
Elementary, Grade 1-12
High school 1-10 norm-referenced
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (2 Ed.) (WIAT-II) (Wechsler 2001 Individual Academic Achievement Tests
Assesses the student’s academic prowess by administering subject oriented exercises. Elementary
Grade 1-12
High school Teacher’s preference.
Norm-referenced
Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ III) (Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather 2001 IQ test Assesses the student’s abstract reasoning, good judgment, and mental reasoning
All age levels Based on the psychologist’s choice. Norm-referenced
Work Cited
Rosenberg, M. S., Westling, D. L., & McLeskey, J. Types of tests used in special education. Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall. 2010.