A Survey of Assessment Professionals in the US

Abstract

A national survey of assessment professionals in the US was conducted to ascertain who was testing special education students, who were being tested and which tests were being used. Based on 1059 returned surveys, the following statements can be made. Four groups (teachers, specialists, psychologists and speech therapists) generally administer the tests. As an average, three-quarters of these individuals have at least a master's degree; two-thirds are over 35 years of age; they have taken five assessment courses; and assess about 67 children each year. Two out of three children tested are male, regardless of the handicapping category, and almost two out of three are between the ages of 6 and 14 years although there is a trend to test more preschool children. Psychologists and speech therapists use more different tests than teachers and specialists. Some widely used tests are utilized primarily by one of the four groups while others are shared by two or three groups. The most widely used tests are discussed in terms of their technical adequacy and other relevant characteristics.