School-readiness Evaluation by Trained Testers (SETT)

M. Joubert

The SETT (School-readiness Evaluation by Trained Testers) is an individual test. Interesting test material is used and the test items are compiled in such a way that a learning situation similar to that in the classroom is created. During the SETT evaluation attention is paid mainly to the developmental level of beginners regarding their:

• language and general (or intellectual) development,

• physical and motor development, and

• emotional and social development.

During the testing session assistance is also given to the testee in a structured manner to determine if he/she will benefit from extra help in the classroom.

Although the main use of the SETT will be by teachers who wish to determine whether a child is ready for school or not, the instrument can also be used by psychologists for diagnostic purposes. It should prove a valuable aid during November in the pre-school situation in determining whether a child who does not have to attend school the next year, will in fact be schoolready.

Norms and cut-off scores

Because all children have to comply with the same standards for reading, writing and arithmetic, only one set of cut-off scores is made available for the SETT.

The cut-off scores for the three SETT scales are aimed at the 20th percentile rank as the literature on school-readiness indicates that approximately 20 % of all school beginners are likely to fail at least once before reaching secondary school.

Although it was not possible to fix the cut-off scores exactly on the 20th percentile rank because of the differences between the reference groups, the aim was nevertheless to come as close to this objective as possible.