What is the primary focus of reliability in assessments?

The primary focus of reliability in assessments is on the consistency of assessment results. Reliability refers to the degree to which an assessment consistently performs the same way across different occasions, forms, and raters. High reliability means that if an assessment is administered multiple times or interpreted by different evaluators, the results will be similar, indicating that the assessment measures something stable and consistent over time.

In the context of education and particularly for exceptional students, ensuring reliable assessments is crucial, as it supports educators in making informed decisions about students' abilities and needs. If results fluctuate greatly due to inconsistent measurement, it can lead to misunderstandings about a student’s performance or progress. Therefore, prioritizing consistency helps ensure that assessments are effective and trustworthy tools for evaluating student learning.