Understanding Assessment in the Special Education Process
Purchase
Description
"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.
Contents
About the Authors
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
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
Glossary
References and Suggested Readings
References and Suggested Readings
Index
Index
Description
"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.
Contents
About the Authors
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
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
Glossary
References and Suggested Readings
References and Suggested Readings
Index
Index
Reviews
Understanding Assessment in the Special Education Process
A Step-by-Step Guide for Educators
November 2007 | 136 pages | Corwin
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperback | 01/02/2026 | 9781412917919 | $37.95 |
| Hardcover | 01/02/2026 | 9781412954242 | $79.95 |
| Lifetime | 01/02/2026 | 9781452239781 | $35.00 |
"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.
Table Of Contents:
- 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