What are scaled scores used for in educational assessments?

Scaled scores are primarily used to convert raw scores into a common scale for comparison across different assessments or populations. This process allows educators, researchers, and policymakers to interpret student performance more effectively, as it standardizes results regardless of variations in the difficulty of assessment items or question formats. By establishing a uniform scoring system, scaled scores make it easier to compare individual performance against benchmarks, other students, or historical data across different testing instances. This is essential for gaining insights into student achievement and pinpointing areas for improvement in the educational process.

The other options do not focus on the primary purpose of scaled scores. Qualitative descriptions of abilities do not utilize numerical comparisons or a standardized scale, while determining class averages pertains to aggregating performance data rather than converting individual scores. Measuring attendance is unrelated to the assessment of academic abilities and performance.