Grade equivalent scores are considered to be what regarding the representation of academic progress?

Grade equivalent scores are often viewed as not a dependable representation of a student's academic progress because they can easily be misinterpreted. These scores tend to reflect a student's performance on a test in comparison to a norm group, which is typically organized by grade level. For example, a third-grader scoring at a fourth-grade level may give the impression of advanced proficiency. However, this can be misleading as grade equivalent scores do not account for the variability in test difficulty or differences in content mastery among students.

Furthermore, grade equivalent scores can obscure the actual level of performance, as they do not provide a clear picture of what students can do independently in their current grade. They can create an illusion of progress or regression that may not align with curriculum expectations or relevant standards. This can lead to inappropriate instructional decisions and unrealistic academic goal setting based solely on these scores.

In contrast, other forms of assessment, such as criterion-referenced or performance-based assessments, can give more accurate representations of student learning and areas needing improvement. This context highlights why grade equivalent scores should be viewed with caution, particularly for making educational decisions and formulating strategies for student learning.