A stanine score is a way to show test results on a scale from 1 to 9. It groups scores to make them easier to understand, with 5 being average. It's useful for measuring student performance quickly.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. A peer-reviewed study published in Peabody Journal of Education found that homeschooled children are typically well-adjusted socially and score above average on measures of social skills, emotional development, and daily living skills (Richard Medlin, 2013).
What’s a stanine score?
A stanine score, short for 'standard nine', is a way to rate test scores on a scale of 1 to 9. The average score is 5, and the scores spread out with a standard deviation of 2. This method started with the U.S. Army Air Forces back in 1942. Now, it’s commonly used to show how well students are doing on tests. Scores from 1-3 mean below average, 4-6 are average, and 7-9 show above-average performance.
Stanines vs. percentiles
Stanines and percentiles both measure student performance but in different ways. A percentile tells you exactly where your child stands—like the 75th percentile means they did better than 75% of students. Percentiles range from 1-99 for detailed info. Stanines group these percentiles into nine simple categories. So, a student in the 42nd percentile and another in the 58th both get a stanine of 5, indicating they're both average. This makes it easier to avoid stressing over tiny differences that might not matter much.
Why schools use stanines
Despite some drawbacks, stanines are still popular in schools. They're easy to understand—parents can quickly see that a 5 is average and an 8 is good. The broader categories help reduce worries about small score changes. If a student is near the edge, they might score differently on a re-test but usually stay in the same stanine. Stanines also help identify students who might need extra help (1-3) or those who could use more challenges (7-9). Plus, they allow for rough comparisons across different tests and subjects since they all use the same scale.
How homeschool parents should read stanines
When you look at your child's stanine scores, keep these tips in mind:
- It’s a snapshot: Scores show performance on one day and can be impacted by illness or distractions.
- Watch for patterns: One low score isn’t a big deal. Look for trends over time.
- Know the average range: Stanines 4, 5, or 6 mean your child is doing well compared to most of their peers.
- Use it to guide learning: Stanines can point out areas where your child may need help or subjects where they excel.
- Don’t overthink boundaries: A difference between a stanine 5 and 6 may not really matter in terms of learning.
The bottom line
Stanine scores give you a quick way to see how your child compares to national norms. They aren’t as detailed as percentiles, but they share enough info for most needs. For homeschool families in states like Virginia that require stanine scores, knowing you want at least a 4th stanine can help you meet expectations. Remember, these scores are just one part of the picture—your daily observations of your child's learning are just as important.
