Overview
This lecture introduces rating scales as a tool for assessing student performance, explains their types and uses, and offers practical advice for developing effective rating scales.
Introduction to Rating Scales
- A rating scale is a written list of performance criteria allowing teachers more than two choices to judge quality.
- Rating scales differ from checklists, which only indicate if a task is done or not.
Types of Rating Scales
- Rating scales can be numeric, graphic, or a combination (e.g., 1-5 Likert scales, smiley faces, hand signals).
- Numeric scales often use 1 to 5 or 1 to 4 levels, sometimes removing the neutral option.
- Some scales assess frequency (never, sometimes, always), others measure quality (unsatisfactory to outstanding).
Uses of Rating Scales
- Commonly used in report cards, GPA systems, and student progress monitoring.
- Used in educational screenings and psychological evaluations (e.g., ADHD, autism).
- Helpful for intervention development, progress monitoring, and student self-assessment.
Designing Effective Rating Scales
- Start with clear goals and rewrite them as simple, declarative statements; each item should measure only one thing.
- Use 3-7 response levels based on degree of agreement or frequency.
- Avoid vague or double-barreled statements; be specific and clear.
- Prefer simple response options (yes, sometimes, no) over complex ones.
Best Practices and Advice
- Simpler rating scales help students focus on the concept or skill rather than the assessment itself.
- Consistent use across classrooms increases student comfort and assessment clarity.
- Visual aids (smiley faces, hand signals, color codes) are useful, especially for young children.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Rating Scale — A tool assessing the quality or frequency of performance using multiple response options.
- Checklist — A tool indicating only the presence or absence of a behavior or task.
- Likert Scale — A numeric rating scale asking respondents to indicate their level of agreement or frequency (e.g., 1–5).
- Formative Assessment — Ongoing assessment to monitor and support student learning during instruction.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice creating simple, clear rating scale items for a classroom activity.
- Review existing rating scales and revise unclear or complex statements into simple, specific ones.