Evaluating preference assessments for use in the general education population.

The team compared two ways to pick math rewards for typical second-graders.

They tried the MSWO preference assessment and a quick teacher ranking.

Then they checked which reward pack made kids solve more math problems.

Both reward packs beat no reward for two of the four children.

The MSWO pack and the teacher pick worked the same.

No child did better with one pick method over the other.

MacNaul et al. (2021) say to re-test preferences every 8–30 days with paired items.

Matson et al. (2008) did not re-test, so we do not know if teacher ranks hold next week.

Goulardins et al. (2013) later used MSWO with dementia adults and saw choices shift in months.

Together the papers warn: first picks may work, but check again soon.

You can save time in a general ed classroom. Ask the teacher to rank rewards before you set up a full MSWO. If the child works, you are done. Still, plan to check again in a few weeks because likes change.