Guides in Using the

Measurement Package on
Discernment
Dr. Sonny B. Nunez
 Introduction
• Preparation for the testing session - - -
– Prepare the testing room, i.e., table, chairs, proper
lighting, ventilation, quiet atmosphere.
– Prepare the measuring instruments and their
corresponding Record Forms, i.e., Intake Form,
Child’s Functioning Checklist, Family Functioning
Checklist, Levels of Moral Development, and Index of
Value Judgment.
– Prepare other materials for the testing session, i.e.,
extra papers and pencils, etc.
– Make sure you have familiarized yourself with the
different instruments.
 Conduct of Actual Testing
• Invite the client to the testing room. As
much as possible, he should be alone.
Accompanying adult may join him only
when very necessary, i.e., client is afraid
to be alone, client has limited physical or
communication facility, etc.
• Sit the client comfortably. Sit
accompanying adult away from the client.
Do not allow adult to answer for the client.
 Conduct of Actual Testing (2)
• Explain the purpose of the session to the client
in the language he will understand.
• Inform client of the approximate time the
session may take.
• Begin with the administration of the Intake Form.
If client cannot provide the needed information,
the accompanying adult may be asked to help.
Do this sparingly.
• Do not hurry the testing procedure. Allow
reasonable time for the child to think and answer
the questions.
 Conduct of Actual Testing (3)
• Administer next the Levels of Moral
Development.
• Explain the instructions very clearly.
• Provide the necessary clarification when
desired.
• Take note of the child’s behaviors during
the testing session.
• Do a verbatim (word for word) recording of
the child’s answers.
 Conduct of Actual Testing (4)
• If the child is cooperative enough, then
administer next the Index of Value Judgment.
• If the session is not productive, you may decide
to stop it and set another time to complete it.
The administration of all five instruments need
not be completed in one session.
• Explain the instructions very clearly.
• Provide additional explanation/clarification if
warranted.
• Record the child’s answers properly.
 Conduct of Actual Testing (5)
• Administer next the Child’s Functioning
Checklist. This time, the participation of
the accompanying adult may/can be
solicited.
• Explain the instructions clearly.
• Encourage child to answer freely.
• As it is in the other tools administered
earlier, proper recording of the child’s
answers is emphasized.
 Conduct of Actual Testing (6)
• Administer last the Family Functioning
Checklist. The help of the accompanying
adult or any other significant persons
may/can be solicited to complete this tool.
In fact, some information may need to
come from other collateral sources.
• Explain the instructions very clearly.
• Record the responses properly.
 Closing the Testing Session
• Acknowledge the participation and cooperation of the
child and/or the accompanying adult.
• Impress upon the child and the adult about the
confidentiality of the results of the session (s).
• Advise the child and/or the adult that they will be
properly informed of the results of the session (s).
• Encourage the child and/or the accompanying adult to
articulate their feelings and impressions about the
completed activity.
• Conduct the child and/or the accompanying adult
properly outside of the testing room.
 Scoring and Interpretation of the
Test Results
• The Intake Form
– The information generated through the Intake Form
are meant to provide the following information:
• Identifying Data about the child/client
• Family Composition
• Circumstances of Referral
• Problem Presented
• Initial Assessment
• Recommended Action
• (These will be summarized in the Case Study Report.)
 Scoring and Interpretation of the
Test Results (2)
• Levels of Moral Development
– Read very well the child’s answer to each situation.
To assign a score, refer to the Self-Instructional
Manual, pages 28 to 35.
– Add the scores and divide it by the number of items to
get the average or mean score.
– The average or the mean score represents the child’s
level of moral development, vis-à-vis, the level of
discernment.
– Convert the average or mean score into scaled score.
Refer to Manual, page 9.
 Scoring and Interpretation of the
Test Results (3)
• Index of Value Judgment
– Refer to the Key to Corrections to check the
answers. See Manual, pages 40 – 41.
– Count the number of correct answers.
– The number of correct answers represents
the child’s value judgment, vis-à-vis, level of
discernment.
– Convert the raw score into scaled score.
Refer to Manual, page 14.
 Scoring and Interpretation of the
Test Results (4)
• Guide for Determining Discernment
– Refer to Manual, pages 14 – 15.
– Get the average of the scaled scores on the LMD
and Index.
– Refer to the Table of Interpretation of the
mean/average score. See Manual, page 14.
– Using the combined scaled scores on the two
instruments, DISCERNMENT is defined operationally
to be evident on anyone getting a mean/average
scaled score ranging from 3.51 to 6.00.
 Scoring and Interpretation of the
Test Results (5)
• Child’s Functioning Checklist
– Each item in the checklist has an assigned
weight. Add the weighted scores on all the
checked items.
– Divide the sum by the number of items to get
the mean/average score.
– Refer to the Manual, page 19 to interpret the
mean/score in relation to the child’s general
functioning.
 Scoring and Interpretation of the
Test Results (6)
• Family Functioning Checklist
– Each item in the checklist has an assigned
weight. Add the weighted scores on all the
checked items.
– Divide the sum by the number of items to get
the mean/average score.
– Refer to the Manual, pages 23 - 24 to
interpret the mean/average score in relation
the family’s general functioning.
 Preparation of the Case Study
Report

• The results of all five instruments are to be

summarized in the Case Study Report to be
prepared by the Social Worker.

• It is an ideal practice if the said report is

presented in a case conference before it is
officially communicated to the appropriate
recipients.
*****