How does standard deviation help in interpreting assessment results?

Standard deviation is a statistical measure that quantifies the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of scores. When interpreting assessment results, understanding how scores vary around the mean is crucial for drawing meaningful conclusions. A low standard deviation indicates that the scores are close to the mean, suggesting that students performed similarly, while a high standard deviation indicates a wide spread of scores, indicating that some students performed much better or worse than the average. This information is vital for educators, as it helps them identify trends in student performance, determine the effectiveness of instructional methods, and tailor support for students who may be struggling or excelling. By focusing on the variation, educators can better understand the overall learning environment and make informed decisions to address diverse student needs.