This section will outline action steps when two raters appear to have a different perception of the child's protective factors and/or behavioral concerns. It is important to note that even if statistical signifigances are found between the two ratings, this does not mean one rater was "right" and one was "wrong" about the child. It just means that the two raters perceive the child differently!
Differences between two or more raters are common, as raters have varying expectations, and often interacting with the child in different types of environments (i.e., home vs. school).
- The three comparisons available in the DECA Program User's Guide to determine if the child is being viewed differently by two or more raters are: Teacher compared to Teacher, Parent compared to Parent, and Teacher compared to Parent.
- Once results are compared in this manner, the DECA User is more prepared to address the differences or similarities in the perception of a child at a parent meeting or the like.
It's True! The User's Guide, Table 4.2, p.36, offers these three comparison tables.
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