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Assessment Of Exceptional Students. Part One: Chapter Two. Why Assess. Initial identification (screening) Used to identify individuals who may need additional evaluation or help Can be used to identify children at-risk (infants & toddlers)
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Assessment Of Exceptional Students Part One: Chapter Two
Why Assess • Initial identification (screening) • Used to identify individuals who may need additional evaluation or help • Can be used to identify children at-risk (infants & toddlers) • Determination & evaluation of programs & strategies (prereferral assessment) • Assists in designing interventions & monitoring their progress • Assessment data gathered before a referral – can provide information to document the need for a formal referral • The DIBELS is widely used in this area to monitor reading interventions • Determination of Current Performance Level & Educational Need • Determine needs, strengths, weaknesses & teaching strategies – suspected disability • Progress in general education curriculum • Present levels of performance • Decisions about Eligibility • Labeling students is required by the IDEA 04 • Definition & Assessment Profile for Selected Exceptionalities – pg. 16 in Operating Standards
Why Assess • Development of the Individualized Education Program • IDEA 04 requires transition needs be identified in a student’s IEP by age 16 • Short-term objectives & benchmarks no longer required for majority of students but piloted in some states • Determination of Goals & Benchmarks/Objectives • Benchmarks/Objectives • Monitoring & Reporting Progress ( Evaluation of Goals & Objectives) – This is my primary area of concern for this course • Determination of objective criteria • Appropriate evaluation procedure • Schedule for evaluation goals and objectives • Decisions about Program Placement • Assessment information can help determine a student’s Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
How Is The Process Initiated • Preliminary assessment data should be collected first • Referrals may be made to request assistance • If a student is referred they will more than likely be eligible for special ed. • Can you create a model for the prereferral to identification process?
What Procedures Should Be Used • Norm-Referenced Tests: Types of Scores, Scoring & Interpretation • Norm-referenced test • Normative or standardization sample • Age scale • Point scales • Raw score • Derived scores • Types of Scores • Age & Grade Equivalents • Developmental scores • Quartiles, Deciles & Percentiles • Percentile rank • Standard Scores • Mean • Standard deviation • Z score • Deviation IQs • Scaled scores • T scores • Stanine & normal curve equivalent
What Procedures Should Be Used • Scoring Norm-Referenced Tests • Raw scores are obtained by norm-referenced tests • Educational & Psychological Testing (AERA 1999) • Interpreting Norm-Referenced Tests • Consider the task demands of the test itself • Standards of Educational & Psychological Testing (AERA 1999) • Criterion-Referenced Tests & Curriculum-Based Assessment • Criterion-referenced test (CRT) • Curriculum-based assessment (CBA) • Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) • Power Versus Speed Tests – Many tests are a combination • Power test • Speed test
What Procedures Should Be Used • Individual Versus Group Tests • Both individual and group testing have their place in the assessment process • Other Assessment Procedures • Checklists & observation • School Records • Direct Interviews • Parent Interviews • Omnibus interview • Behavior-specific interview • Problem-solving interview • Medical & Developmental Histories • Error Analysis – Useful but … Ask students how they perform tasks – Have them “walk through” the process • Use of Portfolios • Alternative assessment procedures have gained popularity • Informal or Formal procedures • Summative or Formative assessment
Who Should Asses • Teachers should always be involved in the assessment process • Special ed. & General ed. Teachers • Parent information should be included When Should Assessment Be Conducted • Dependent on the questions “who will asses” and “why asses” • When noticing individuals who may need more help, conduct prereferral intervention or further assessment • Notify parents of what is happening
What Should Be Done With The Results • Knowledge of what to do with results prior to assessment is necessary. • Dependent on school and educational setting An Assessment Model • Prereferral component • Postreferral component • All students receiving services under IDEA 04 go through the postreferral component