Explain the difference between reliability and validity. How do these concepts shape early childhood special education assessment?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Reliability refers to an assessment instrument's ability to generate consistent results across different test takers. That is, no matter who gives a test, who takes the test, or where a test is given, the test should consistently measure what it was designed to measure. Validity, on the other hand, looks at whether an assessment actually does measure what it claims to measure. For example, if a test was designed to measure a students’ ability to computer simple math equations, then the test should only focus on simply math equations rather than on complex math equations. These two concepts are important to assessment in early childhood special education since assessment is a critical part of determining a child's eligibility for services, as well as designing and implementing programs that best serve a child's needs. If tests are nonreliable or nonvalid, then programs and services will be ineffective in meeting a child's needs.