Final answer:
Calculating the average performance across tests might not always represent the program's effectiveness due to different test weights, varying levels of difficulty, and the presence of outliers.
Considering individual test scores and other statistical measures provides a better assessment of student performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Computing the average performance across all five tests may seem logical, however, it might not always provide an accurate representation of a program's overall performance.
Each test might carry a different weight or importance, have varying levels of difficulty, or assess different skills and knowledge areas that contribute differently to the assessment objectives. Averages could also be affected by outlier scores that could skew the results.
Moreover, using parameters from the entire population of scores would mean that any variation within individual tests would not be reflected in the final performance assessment.
Instead, it's often beneficial to look at individual test scores and analyze student performance in a more nuanced way.
Consideration of other statistical measures like the median, mode, or the use of weighted averages can give a more complete picture of how well a program is doing. It's essential to take into account the factors of student performance like attendance, ability, and work ethic when evaluating overall success.