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Understanding Assessment in the Special Education Process
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Understanding Assessment in the Special Education Process
A Step-by-Step Guide for Educators

Edited by:

November 2007 | 136 pages | Corwin

"Short and to the point—a huge advantage! Easy to read and understand, and a great reference. This book is a must-have for every school building in every district!"
—Rachel Aherns, Collaborative Resource Teacher
Summit Middle School, Johnston, IA

Build your knowledge of how the assessment process works!

This compact handbook provides general and special education teachers with clear information about the types of assessments that help determine student eligibility for special education services. Written by legal and special education experts, this guide defines disability categories and explains applicable federal regulations as they relate to the assessment process in special education. The authors outline a multidisciplinary approach for comprehensive evaluations based on observation, interviews, and testing. This indispensable resource clarifies the teacher's role in the referral process and also covers:

  • The components of a professional evaluation report
  • Student behavior during assessment
  • Making presentations to an Individualized Education Program committee

An ideal step-by-step reference for instructors who have not had specific training in assessing students with special needs, Understanding Assessment in the Special Education Process helps educators make the most effective use of available assessment options.


 
About the Authors
 
Acknowledgments
 
Introduction
 
Step I. Understanding Assessment and Special Education Assessment
Importance of Assessment

 
Purpose of Assessment

 
The Difference Between Testing and Assessment

 
Role of the Education Professional in the Special Education Process

 
Assessment and Federal Law

 
 
Step II. Understanding and Identifying Students Who Might Exhibit a Disability
Understand the Meaning of a "High Risk" Student

 
High Risk Students: Determine the Severity of the Problem

 
Understand How Tension Affects High Risk Students

 
Become Familiar With Common Avoidance Behavior Patterns Exhibited By High Risk Students

 
Conclusions

 
 
Step III. Understanding and Making a Referral to the Child Study Team
Understand Your Role in the Referral Process

 
Learn About the Membership of the CST

 
Understand What Takes Place at the CST Meeting

 
Learn About the Various Sources of Information Available on Your Student

 
Understand the Options of the CST

 
Conclusions

 
 
Step IV. Understanding and Obtaining Parental Informed Consent for Assessment
 
Step V. Understanding the Requirements of an Evaluation for a Suspected Disability
 
Step VI. Understanding the MDT and the Comprehensive Assessment
Understand the Responsibilities of the Team Assigned to Do the Comprehensive Assessment: The Multidisciplinary Team

 
Understand the Membership of the MDT

 
 
Step VII. Understanding the Various Methods of Assessment Options Available to the MDT
What Is a Comprehensive Assessment?

 
What Is Norm-Referenced Testing?

 
Primary Areas of Assessment

 
Conclusions

 
 
Step VIII. Understanding Basic Statistics and Scoring Terminology Used in Assessment
Age Equivalent

 
Alternate Forms Reliability

 
Concurrent Validity

 
Construct Validity

 
Content Validity

 
Correlation

 
Criterion-Related Validity

 
Grade Equivalent

 
Interrater Reliability

 
Mean

 
Median

 
Mode

 
Range

 
Percentile Rank

 
Predictive Validity

 
Raw Scores

 
Reliability

 
Reliability Coefficients

 
Scaled Scores

 
Split-Half Reliability or Internal Consistency

 
Standard Deviation

 
Standard Error of Measurement

 
Standard Scores

 
Stanine

 
Test-Retest Reliability

 
T Scores

 
Validity

 
z Scores

 
Conclusions

 
 
Step IX. Understanding Students' Behavior During the Assessment Process
Understand the Possible Effects of Examiner Variables

 
Understand How to Observe Overt Signs of Tension

 
Understand Behaviors That Are Observed . . .

 
Understand Behaviors That Provide Insight Into the Student's Organizational Abilities During the Assessment Process

 
Conclusions

 
 
Step X. Understanding the Components of a Professional Evaluation Report
Practical Guidelines for Writing a Professional Evaluation Report

 
Understand the Components of the Report

 
 
Step XI. Understanding What Is Required for a Presentation to the IEP Committee
Concluding Thoughts

 
 
Glossary
 
References and Suggested Readings
 
Index

"Short and to the point—a huge advantage! Easy to read and to understand. A must-have for every school building in every district."

Rachel Aherns, Collaborative Resource Teacher
Summit Middle School, Johnston, IA

"This book clearly does just what it promises, providing a step-by-step guide about the special education assessment process."

Renee J. Ponce-Nealon, Third-Grade Teacher
Tolenas Elementary School, Petaluma, CA

"From understanding basic statistics to understanding the foundations of the MDT, this is a powerful tool that educators need."

California Bookwatch, January 2008
Midwest Book Review

Book was too short and was not as detailed as other textbooks like McLoughlin & Lewis textbook

Dr Joseph Boyle
Graduate School Of Education, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey
October 28, 2011

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