Using the theory of response to the item in the production of socioeconomic indicators

In Brazil, the Item Response Theory (IRT) has been used on the production of the pupil's proficience in large scale assessment. However, its different kinds of models may be used to build others indices as is the case of socio-economic status index. This study presents and compares some techniques based on IRT that can lead to these indices. As a case study, the socio-economic index of the pupil's family, who have participated of the SIMAVE-2002 assessment program of the Minas Gerais State, is produced.