The Diagnostic Software

for Macintosh only

Utilizing the Chapter Tests to their fullest extent, not simply for the assessment of student achievement but as a tool for improving instruction, requires extensive analysis. To do this analysis by hand is very time-consuming. The Diagnostic Software, available for Macintosh computers, provides individual scores, class results, and a diagnostic interpretation of many of the wrong choices. The output of the comments is available in two forms, a Class Report and an Individual Report. The Class Report highlights trouble spots by listing all the comments associated with bad choices made by at least 10% of the class. This report will help you recognize where the trouble spots are. An Individual Report is useful in a personal discussion with a student or a parent.

The software prints answer sheets for each test, which makes the data entry via the keyboard extremely fast. You can also enter the data via a bar-code reader. A master copy for all the tests is included at the end of this book.

In addition to the expected statistics, the report shows what the mistakes were in the three questions for which the student had the wrong answers. Such reports have been found to be very helpful in conferences with individual students and their parents. See The Advanages of Using IPS Diagnostic Software in From the Classroom.

Other reports address the performance of the whole class. The Summary of Comments lists the most frequently made mistakes. Teachers find it very helpful in improving their instruction.