The research behind PAES
Validity and reliability studies of PAES as a transition assessment for students with disabilities.
PAES was developed by Judith D. Swisher, PhD (first published 1987). The 2024 PAES Technical Manual brings together validity and reliability studies of PAES as a transition assessment for students with disabilities. Overall, the results support using PAES for transition planning, guiding instruction and influencing student behavior.
Predictive validity
The study compared PAES scores for 103 students with disabilities against two traditional paper-and-pencil aptitude tests, using job outcomes three to five years later. PAES scores were strongly related to the level of support students needed on the job and tended to relate to salary and hours worked. The traditional tests were almost uniformly very weakly related to job performance.Usefulness for educational decisions
Teachers preferred PAES over traditional aptitude/achievement tests and interest/employability inventories for transition decisions about IEP planning, employment and training. The more familiar teachers were with PAES, the more useful they rated it. All groups interpreted PAES Summary Reports appropriately.Influence on student behavior
Teachers reported seeing students improve on a range of self-concept and work-related behaviors while taking part in the PAES class.Reliability of scores
Scores for 77 students were examined over time. Students performed most consistently relative to each other on work rate (α = .88), amount of assistance (α = .75) and quality of work (α = .71).Standardized, certified administration
PAES procedures are standardized, so an assessment is administered and scored the same way in every lab. To keep results valid, everyone who administers PAES completes training for the Authorized PAES Evaluator Certificate. That training is part of every new lab installation.
The Technical Manual also includes a study on vocational and personal-independence training for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Questions about the data?
I'm happy to walk your assessment team through the research and sample reports.