Raw Score = the actual number of items correct; usually includes credit for items not administered that occurred below the basal, which is a certain number of easy items correct in a row (usually six on the WJ), except in the case of item sets, which are usually denoted by a letter attached to the raw score. Not every line has a raw score reported, because some of them are cluster scores, which are derived from the individual subtest standard scores.
W = this is a unit of Rasch scaling, which is continuous over age levels, and intended to represent equal changes in difficulty levels along the scale, allowing you to compare absolute growth from one administration to another, instead of normative growth (which would be how well you are keeping pace with the expected growth of your age-peers).
AE = age equivalent, which tells you the age level for whom the 50th %ile obtained the same raw score as you. It most certainly does not say that the instructional level or classroom performance level of this student is this age, or that they should be placed at that level. Universally considered a poor measure by testing & measurement professionals, but popular with teachers and parents, which is why it's still here.
Easy to Diff = the expected zone of proximal development, using age equivalents. Subject to the same problems as AE.
RPI = a representation of mastery, based on the W score. It has been likened to the 20/20 system of denoting visual acuity. The second /90 describes the difficulty level at which the average person of this age in the norm group achieved 90% success. The first number means what your %age level of success would be predicted to be on the same type of task. It has a very low ceiling, as it is really designed to look for areas of struggle, not advancement.
SS = norm-reference standard score, where 100 is the mean, and 15 is the standard deviation, comparing your relative standing to the age/grade-matched normative group.
(90% Band) = 90% confidence interval, a representation of the standard error of measurement and it's implications for the SS, as a sample of behavior only, and not the be-all and end-all.
GE = grade equivalent, similar to the AE, but using grade norms. Subject to the same concerns.
Last edited by aeh; 07/30/14 07:55 PM. Reason: a little more on Rasch
