Our psychologist, Keith, has been asked to conduct a psychoeducational evaluation on 8-year old Melanie. Melanie’s teacher and parents are concerned because she is having significant difficulty reading and comprehending information. She also has a hard time paying attention and is always talking out in class. She is a sweet girl and gets along well with others, but her challenges are negatively impacting her grades and interrupting the learning of those around her.
As Keith plans his assessment of Melanie’s difficulties, what issues does he need to consider in order to increase the validity of the assessment?

Remember to consider Melanie’s age and testing with students who might have special needs.
Explain what testing accommodations Keith might need to make given Melanie’s challenges and why.
What impact could making accommodations have on standardization and, as a result, interpretation of the results?
What test format would best meet Melanie’s needs (e.g., type of test, group vs. individual, etc.)? Why?

Reflect on what you have learned about the history of assessment. How might Keith’s decisions differ today compared to the beginnings of psychological assessment?

Describe how the impact of assessment results has changed over time.

By Monday, July 11, 2016, write your results in a 3-5 page, APA formatted paper. Remember to include a cover page and reference list. Resources can include readings from your textbook and course overviews, as well as the APA’s Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct Standard 9: Assessment.
Assignment 1 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Discussed issues related Melanie’s age and testing with students who might have special needs.
32
 
Explained what testing accommodations Keith might need to make given Melanie’s challenges and why.
36
 
Described the impact making accommodations have on standardization and, as a result, interpretation of the results.
32
 
Described the test format that would best meet Melanie’s needs (e.g., type of test, group vs. individual, etc.)
32
 
Explained why a particular testing format would be most appropriate for Melanie.
36
 
Reflected on the history of assessment and how Keith’s decisions might differ today compared to the beginnings of psychological assessment.
32
 
Explained how the impact of assessment results has changed over time.
36
 
Style (8 points): Tone, audience, and word choice
Organization (16 points): Introduction, transitions, and conclusion
Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
APA Elements (24 points): In text citations and references, paraphrasing, and appropriate use of quotations and other elements of style
64