- S-CBM
Spelling- Curriculum Based Measurement
- Sample
A representative portion of a larger population selected for studying the characteristics of the larger population.
- Scaled Score
A mathematical transformation of a raw score that allows for direct comparisons of scores earned by a student across subtests on a common interval scale. Scaled scores are also converted into other useful derived scores that describe a students test performance.
- School Ability Index (SAI)
Obtained from the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test(published by Harcourt), the SAI is a normalized scaled score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 16.
- School Manager
An AIMSweb School User type; the School Manager can edit and view data for every classroom and student within the designated school.
- Standard Deviation (SD)
A measure of the variability or dispersion (i.e., spread) of a normal distribution of scores. When scores are clustered closely around the mean (middle) of a distribution, the SD is low. When larger numbers of very low and very high scores cause the distribution to be more spread out, the SD is high.
- Standard Error of Measurement (SEM)
The amount by which a students observed score is expected to fluctuate around the students true score. A test having a low SEM means that the students observed score is not expected to differ greatly from the students true score.
- Standardization
The process of administering the same test (or equivalent forms of the test) to a large reference population under uniform conditions. Standardization also includes applying uniform scoring methods and score interpretations. During the norming or administration of a test, standardization ensures that all scores have the same meaning. This is important when comparisons are made between scores across subtests or between groups of students.
- Standardization Sample
See reference population.
- Standards-based Test
See criterion-referenced test.
- Stanine
Stanines, like percentile ranks, indicate a students relative standing when compared to a reference population. Stanines range from a low of 1 to a high of 9, with a 5 designating average performance and a standard deviation of 2. In contrast to percentile ranks, stanines represent approximately equal units of achievement. For example, the difference between stanines 2 and 4 represents about the same difference in achievement as the difference between stanines 5 and 7. Stanines are particularly useful for comparing or profiling a students scores across subtests.
- Superintendent
An AIMSweb District User type. The Superintendent User can view data for every school within the assigned district.