Case Studies - Choose One

For this week's whole group discussion, there are two case studies to choose from. You are only required to respond to one case study from the two choices below.

Case Study #1- Eileen: Career Assessment (Whole Group)

Introduction:

For this activity, read the assessment scores below, discuss them substantially with the class, and decide the best response to Eileen. Your response should give a clear answer to the question, and should include practical applications of how you would explain this to her. Your response should show a clear and graduate level understanding of the concept, and the ability to practically apply the terms/concepts.
 

 Directions:

1. Be sure that you have completed the assigned readings.
    
2. By Saturday, post a response in the whole group discussion forum titled, Week 3: Case Study #1-Eileen, by responding to the prompt below:
   
   Eileen visits a vocational counselor and is administered various tests. She scores 50 on a test that measures aptitude for a career in sales (for people in general on this test, M = 40, SD = 4) and 95 on a test of aptitude for a career in education (for people in general on this test, M = 80, and SD = 20). (On both tests, high scores mean greater aptitude).
   
   In relation to other people, what is Eileen's greatest aptitude? (Be sure to explain your calculations that are the basis of your answer.)
   Explain what you have done and the basis of your conclusion to a person who has never had a course in statistics.
    
3. Revisit the discussion forum multiple times throughout the week and contribute at least two additional substantive postings to two different students by Monday. Be sure that you are substantially discussing the information with your classmates, and not just agreeing or disagreeing with them. Short comments or acknowledgements will not earn the points desired for a passing grade.

Case Study #2-Marisol: Standardized Testing, BASI (Whole Group)

Introduction:

This activity will be helpful in understanding and interpreting test scores. It is good practice, and brings the application portion of this chapter to a good close.
 

Directions:

1) Be sure that you have completed the assigned readings.

2) By Saturday, each student should post a response in the Week 3: Case Study #2 - Marisol forum by responding to the questions below:

Case Study: Marisol
Marisol, age 11, is in the 5th grade. Below are her scores on the Basic Achievement Skills Inventory (BASI). The BASI is an achievement test battery that measures math, reading, and language skills for children and adults. It provides scores on three composites and six subtests. The composites are Reading Total, Written Language Total and Math Total. The subtests are Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Spelling, Language Mechanics, Math Computation, and Math Application.

• Interpret the standard scores on the Reading Total, Written Language Total, and Math Total.
• Interpret the percentile ranks on the Reading Total, Written Language Total, and Math Total.
• Interpret the stanine scores on the Reading Total, Written Language Total, and Math Total.
• Interpret the grade equivalent scores on the Vocabulary and Math Computation subtests.
• Interpret the age equivalent score on the Reading comprehension test and the Math Application subtests.
• Explain the meaning of the confidence intervals for Reading Total, Written Language Total, and Math Total.
• Based on these scores, how would you describe Marisol’s strengths and weaknesses regarding achievement?

3) Revisit the discussion forum multiple times throughout the week, discussing the problem and comparing your work to see that you have done it correctly. Contribute at least two additional substantive postings by Monday. Your discussion should remain centered on Question 7: "Based on these scores, how would you describe Marisol's strengths and weaknesses regarding achievement?"

4) Revisit the whole group discussion forum at the end of the week and be sure to read the responses of your classmates.

Assignment: Weekly Quizzes (Individual)

Introduction:

Weekly quizzes will be available, and you are expected to complete a minimum of ten quizzes during the semester. The quizzes are open book, multiple choice, and approximately 20 questions each. They reflect the content of the book and are focused on the course objectives for the week. The quizzes cover items you will need to know to prepare for the NCE exam. You can retake the quiz one additional time during each week if you score below an 80%.
 

Directions:

1. Review the directions and scoring tool for this assignment, located on the Syllabus page.
    
2. Be sure that you have completed the assigned readings and have your book with you when you take the quiz.
    
3. To take this week's quiz, click on Gradebook and then click on "Quiz 4."
    
4. Complete and submit the quiz by the end of this week.
    
5. Your grade will be available after you submit the quiz. If you wish to retake it, wait until Sunday morning, and the Quiz will be reset for everyone. It will be labeled "Quiz 4 Retake" and you may retake it for new questions to practice on, or for a better grade. In either case, it cannot hurt your grade to retake because when there are two or more grades, the highest grade will be used to compute your final grade for the term. If there is one grade, then that grade will be used. Each Quiz is due on Monday night midnight of the day that it is due. It is available for two weeks to allow for those students who are ill, traveling, or just having a difficult week. After the two-week availability, the correct answers will be shown when you view your previously answered Quizzes.