What insight can a teacher gain by reviewing the standard deviation of assessment results?

Reviewing the standard deviation of assessment results provides valuable insight into how spread out scores are from the mean. Standard deviation is a statistical measure that indicates the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values. When a teacher examines the standard deviation, they can determine whether the students' scores tend to cluster closely around the average score or if there is a wide range of scores. A small standard deviation suggests that most students scored similarly, while a large standard deviation indicates a significant variation in performance among students.

Understanding this spread is crucial for identifying which students may need additional support or enrichment. For instance, if the scores are widely dispersed, it may point to a diverse range of learning needs in the classroom, indicating that differentiated instruction might be necessary. This insight is particularly useful for a teacher to tailor their approach to meet the varied capabilities and learning styles of their students.