Which type of scores should a school counselor use to explain a student's test results related to peers?

Using percentiles is particularly effective for explaining a student's test results in relation to their peers because percentiles provide a clear comparison of an individual student's performance to that of a larger group. A percentile rank indicates the percentage of students in a normative group that scored lower than the student in question. For instance, if a student is in the 70th percentile, this means that they performed better than 70% of their peers, making it easy to understand their standing within the context of their classmates.

This comparison is vital for school counselors who aim to discuss academic performance, identify areas of improvement, and provide recommendations. Percentiles help situate a student’s performance within a broader context, making the information more relatable and understandable for both students and their guardians.

Other score types like raw scores present the actual number of points earned, but they lack the context of peer comparisons. Stanines provide performance levels but may not be as intuitive in conveying precise rankings among peers. Grade equivalents offer a developmental perspective but can be misleading by implying that a student is performing at a specific grade level rather than providing a broader comparison with peers. Percentiles stand out as the most effective means to convey a student's performance relative to their peers, enhancing understanding and actionable insights.