Education

Giving English language learners a fair shot at vocabulary testing

Fairness is at the core of the Ortiz Picture Vocabulary Acquisition Test™ (Ortiz PVAT™; Ortiz, 2018). Fairness, in the context of assessments, refers to a test’s capacity to provide reliable and valid scores for all relevant test-takers across all relevant subgroups. At MHS, we’re proud of our commitment to a...

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Trust, Equity, Fairness and Bias Reduction in Assessments

Tests are gateways to opportunity. An opportunity to get mental health treatment and receive learning supports, to be selected for special academic programming. To get hired, coached, or promoted, and to guide decisions regarding risk, levels of supervision, and treatment in criminal justice settings. They are a gateway to life-changing...

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Providing opportunity: Finding high ability using the Naglieri General Ability Tests

In the context of giftedness assessment, tests are often the gatekeepers to opportunity. Historically, nonverbal tests were a student’s only means of demonstrating their ability while remaining largely free from knowledge acquired in an educational environment. Unfortunately, to be eligible for gifted and advanced programs, many states require proof of...

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Conners 4 is a favorite among school psychologists

In the summer of 2022, Conners 4th Edition (Conners 4TM), the highly anticipated revision of Conners 3rd Edition (Conners 3®), the world's leading ADHD assessment, was released. Our research and development teams incorporated the most current research and user experience data into the Conners 4 in collaboration with numerous experts....

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Why School Psychologists need to assess for trauma during evaluation

Educators and mental health professionals have grown increasingly concerned about the exposure to and experience of trauma among children and adolescents. In a school setting, childhood adversity and trauma are associated with lower achievement, truancy and dropout, behavioral problems, mental illness, neurobiological changes, and difficulty managing emotions and social relationships...

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Were the Conners 4 Norms Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health response have led to the enforcement of restrictions such as physical distancing, in-person school closures, shifts to online learning, and reductions in community and school-based services and extracurricular activities. While these measures helped control the spread of COVID-19, they were unprecedented and...

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The unique psychological needs of gifted and talented students

The National Association of Gifted and Talented Students (NAGC), states that students with gifts and talents perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. However, gifted and talented students may also face unique challenges with...

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Child sleeping in bed

The link between sleep problems and ADHD

For students, the consequences of sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness are especially problematic. In one study, it was reported that daytime sleepiness, sleep deprivation, and irregular sleep schedules can result in lower grade point averages, increased risk of academic failure, compromised learning, and impaired mood (Hershner & Chervin, 2014). In...

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The sofa is mocking me and other tests of resilience

“Summer,” for me, the word brings with it visions of long lazy days, sunshine, and splashing at the pool. Almost as soon as it starts, I also feel the existential dread that it will end too soon. This feeling is one many of my fellow educators share. Summer never seems...

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