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Formal and Informal Assessments

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Formal and informal assessments should both be used during transition planning. The differences between the two instruments and examples of each can be found below.

Formal AssessmentsInformal Assessments
• Standardized Instruments 
• Tested for reliability and validity
• Scores can be compared across student populations.
• Guidelines for administering, scoring, and interpreting
• Not Standardized
• Lack formal reliability and validity measures
• No comparison with other students.
• Can be used to collect data from a variety of • individuals 
• Useful in designing and evaluating the effects of instructional interventions

Assessment Examples

Formal AssessmentsInformal Assessments
• Achievement Tests
• Intelligence Tests
• Adaptive Behavior Scales
• Behavior Rating Scales
• Interest inventories
• State Assessments 
• Social Skills Inventories
• Self-determination Scales
• Comprehensive Transition Inventories
• Independent Living Assessments
• Aptitude Test
• Vocational Evaluation
• Career Development Inventory
• SAT
•ACT
• ASVAB
• Vocational Skills
• Interviews
• Questionnaires
• Teacher generated assessments
• Classroom Observations
• Worksite observations
• Situational Assessments
• Discovery process
• Record Reviews
• Interest Surveys
• Environmental Analysis
• Employer Evaluations
• Preference Checklists
• Work Preference and Values Survey
• Self-Advocacy/Self-Determination Checklist
• Assessing College Readiness Checklist
• Task Analysis

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