ESTIMATOR
Aptitude/Achievement Discrepancy Tools
for Making Learning Disabilities Qualification Decisions
Estimator was developed to make identifying severe discrepancies easy. The software uses a modified formula recommended by the U.S. Office of Special Education, Special Education Programs Workgroup on Measurement Issues. No need to spend hours searching test manuals for the information. The calculations are made quickly and accurately avoiding the possibility of mistakes made by hand.
Evaluators are provided the widest possible options for choosing the assessments most appropriate for individual students.
Estimator uses a modification of a discrepancy calculation formula recommend by the U.S. Office of Special Education, Special Education Programs Workgroup on Measurement Issues in the Assessment of Learning Disabilities to calculate the probability that the difference in aptitude and achievement scores entered represents a severe discrepancy.
After making the calculations the tool generates a report describing the student, the aptitude and achievement assessments administered, and the probability that the student exhibits a severe discrepancy. This provides valuable documentation for a learning disability qualification decision. A separate parent report can be generated that presents the assessment and discrepancy information in a format easy for parents to understand.
The Estimator software program was developed to make it easy for special educators to use the formula. Users enter demographic information on the student tested, the names of the aptitude and achievement tests administered, and the tests scores. The program uses the formula to calculate aptitude/achievement discrepancy and determine if the discrepancy is severe. It then generates three reports, (1) a Summary of Discrepancy Information, summarizing demographic and test data for the student and making statements as to whether the test data indicate a severe discrepancy between aptitude and achievement, (2) an Explanation of Percent Confidence, explaining how the program arrived at the level of confidence it did that the test data indicate a severe discrepancy, and (3) an Estimator Formula Intermediate Values report, a technical report showing the values entered for all terms in the formula as well as values for intermediate steps in the calculation. Calculation available for review upon request.
The table below shows the tests and scores in the database that are supported by the estimator calculation, organized by score area. After selecting an area, click on the test name to view the scores supported for that test.