Full course description
This course provides candidates with the knowledge of basic principles and strategies related to using and communicating the results of a variety of assessment and evaluation approaches appropriate for general and special education students with mild/moderate or moderate/severe disabilities. A variety of non-biased standardized techniques, instruments and processes that are functional, curriculum-referenced, performance-based, and appropriate to the diverse needs of individual students will be examined. Candidates will become familiar with authentic and standardized tools used to assess the developments, academic, behavioral, social, communication, vocational, and community life skill needs of students. Candidates will be able to make educational and programming decisions based on their assessment results. Candidates will gain knowledge related to sharing assessment results in a way that is meaningful to fellow teachers and student’s families.
Candidates will gain an understanding of the special education assessment process. IEP’s, 504’s, and SST’s will be discussed and how assessments are so critical to those functions. By the end of the course, candidates will have a better understanding of how assessments are part of the instructional process, how to monitor a student’s current level of understanding, multiple ways to assess a student, how to make sure assessments are culturally sensitive/fair, and emphasis will be placed on gaining a working knowledge of IEP process.