Welcome to Appraisal and Testing for Counselors!
Students explore individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation through the use of standardized test instruments and rating scales. Emphasis is given to principles of test construction, reliability and validity, psychometric properties, and strategies for the selection, administration and interpretation of behavioral, psychological, and educational tests. Implications of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, heritage, language, disability, and professional/ethical issues are examined.
Course Objectives:
- Understand historical perspectives concerning the nature and meaning of assessment (CACREP II.G.7.a).
- Know basic concepts of standardized and non-standardized testing and other assessment techniques, including norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, environmental assessment, performance assessment, individual and group test and inventory methods, psychological testing, and behavioral observations (CACREP II.G.7.b).
- Understand statistical concepts, including scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, and correlations (CACREP II.G.7.c).
- Understand reliability (i.e., theory of measurement error, models of reliability, and the use of reliability information) (CACREP II.G.7.d).
- Understand validity (i.e., evidence of validity, types of validity, and the relationship between reliability and validity) (CACREP II.G.7.e).
- Understand social and cultural factors related to the assessment and evaluation of individuals, groups, and specific populations (CACREP II.G.7.f).
- Understand ethical strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques in counseling (CACREP II.G.7.g).
- Understand the importance of research in advancing the counseling profession (CACREP II.G.8.a).
Next Steps: Carefully review the remaining sections of the Course Overview section, accessed on the left-side navigation before beginning Week 1 activities.
- What To Expect- describes the types of activities you will experience throughout this course and the course materials that you need to be successful.
- Syllabus- explains how you will be graded throughout the course and provides detailed assignment directions.
- Course Protocols- outlines the instructor expectations for submitting assignments, participating, and seeking assistance.
Once you feel that you are ready to dive into the first week’s activities, click on Week 1 page on the left-side navigation.
