Which stanine value is associated with the descriptor "below average"?

The descriptor "below average" is typically associated with stanine values that fall within the lower range of the scale. Stanines are a standardized scoring system that divides a distribution into nine parts, with a mean of 5 and a standard deviation of 2. Values of 4, 3, and 2 are categorized as below average, while values of 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 represent average and above average performance.

In this context, the correct answer relates to the underlying principles of stanine scoring. A stanine value of 4 signifies that the performance is slightly below the average range, as it is one standard deviation below the mean of 5. Therefore, this value accurately reflects a "below average" performance level, effectively placing it in the appropriate category of assessment outcomes.