Psychometrics of Direct Observation

.Direct observation plays an important role in the assessment practices of school psychologists and in the development of evidence-based practices in general and special education. The defining psychometric features of direct observation are presented, the contributions to assessment practice reviewed, and a specific proposal is offered for evaluating the psychometric merit of direct observation in both practitioner developed and commercial/research specific applications. This article allows readers to determine if a specific direct observation system is credible, offers psychometric merit, and should be considered as part of a multimethod-multisource assessment.