EDS 526 exam #1
What happens if the parent declines school special education help?
The process is stopped
What happens when a student who is an EL first enters a state school?
The student gets tested for English language proficiency when they first enter school; a yearly written plan is created that considers how to test the student, what extra services the student may need, any extra staffing, any help with transitions, and how to monitor the student's progress
What happens if the student fails hearing and vision testing?
They check to see if that's what's causing the learning issues and attempt to fix that.
What is the general education teacher's role on the ARC team? How many times does the ARC meet?
To provide information about the student in their classroom, and at least once a year or every time it's changed
Criticisms of Norm-Referenced/Standardized Tests
Too much value placed on recall and rote learning at the expense of understanding and reflection Misleading impression that there is only one right answer Makes students passive learners who only need to recognize, not construct, answers and solutions Teachers focus on what can be easily tested Content and skill development trivialized by reducing whatever is taught to a fill-in-the-bubble format Obtrusive for learning environment Bias
What are the criticisms of norm-referenced tests?
Too much value placed on recall and rote learning at the expense of understanding and reflection Misleading impression that there is only one right answer Makes students passive learners who only need to recognize, not construct, answers and solutions Teachers focus on what can be easily tested Content and skill development trivialized by reducing whatever is taught to a fill-in-the-bubble format Obtrusive for learning environment Bias
What are the 2 tests used by Kentucky DOE for initial entry into the school systems for EL's?
WIDA (grades 1-12); W-APT (K)
Should test bias be considered when testing? Why? How would you compensate?
Yes, you should consider these questions: The type of culture in which the child has lived The type of culture in which the child now lives Length of time the child has lived in that culture Length of time the child has lived in the new culture The experiences within the new culture (e.g., seasons of the year, porcupine, difference between sleet and hail) Different psychological functions are assessed depending on language proficiency (e.g., when asking how a cardinal, a blue jay, and a swallow are alike-a young child or ELL needs a knowledge of word meanings, while the same question for a college student will assess their ability to identify similarities) Nonverbal tests can be used but it doesn't erase any cultural issues
Explain why you would always have to look at the test manual before you change how you give a test
You may be giving the test incorrectly; this would negate the statistics of the test and render the test meaningless
Describe a portfolio assessment
a collection of various types of products or assessments collected over time that demonstrate student progress. A portfolio contains work samples, permanent products, and test results from a variety of instruments and measures.
Discuss how you should report the results of an informal test
be very specific in your findings back up your testing observations with comments provide a clear explanation of what has been found through your informal tests (strengths and weaknesses, ways to improve)
What subgroups can be part of the norming of a test?
ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, etc.
What is a task analysis?
involves breaking down a particular task into the basic sequential steps of the skills necessary to accomplish the task
Name the different types of achievement tests
math calculation math reasoning basic reading skills (phonics) reading comprehension reading fluency written expression listening comprehension oral expression
What should the child be tested on when evaluating them for special education eligibility?
math calculation math reasoning basic reading skills (phonics) reading comprehension reading fluency written expression listening comprehension oral expression Testing for specific disabilities (ex testing for ADHD) IQ Testing (Usually done by the psychologist) Behavioral Testing Diagnostic Team may need to conduct 1-3 observations in the child's environment for about 30 minutes to an hour each time; they need to have a good sense of how the child functions in that environment
What percentage of students live in poverty?
1 in 5 (20%)
What percentage of children speak a language other than English at home (or speak with difficulty)?
1 in 5 students or 20%
How many observations should be involved in special education testing? How long should each observation last?
1-3 observations for 30-60 minutes each; always in the child's environment
How many different languages are represented in Kentucky? What is the top "other language"?
139 languages, Spanish
What percentage of students receive special education services in the U.S.?
6.5 million children (13% of children) ages 3-21 receive special education services in america.
How many days does IDEA give the school to complete testing on a child?
60 days
What is the name of the team that makes a child eligible for special education?
ARC Team or IEP Team
What documents might the parent provide during the assessment process?
Any notes/documents stating disability (e.g., ADHD) and important information about physical characteristics of the disability Access to all outside agencies; parents need to sign paperwork for access Any reports from outside agencies; they do not have to provide reports Any forms/questionnaires that the school has asked them to fill out
How much notification does a parent need for an IEP meeting?
At least 2 weeks
At what point in the process does the parent have to sign for permission test?
At the very beginning of testing
Describe an authentic assessment
Authentic assessment involves the application of knowledge to real-life activities, real-world settings, or a simulation of such a setting using real-life, real world activities
List some examples of formal assessments
Character Exams Diagnostic tests Achievement tests Intelligence tests
Name the stages of assessment.
Collection- the process of gathering information Analysis and evaluation- the process of gathering and evaluating/diagnosing all of the information to: Find patterns in the child's learning Find the child's strengths and weaknesses Determining- the process of determining the presence of a disability with the multidisciplinary team Recommending- the process of recommending the educational placement and program for that child
What 3 things need to be completed before any testing for special education can begin?
Consent from parents, check hearing and vision, and approval from school
List some examples of informal assessments
Criterion-Referenced Tests Tests using state standards Ecological Assessment Curriculum- Based Assessment/ Measurement Dynamic Assessment Portfolio Assessments Authentic Assessments Task Analysis Learning Styles Assessment Outcome-Based Assessment Classroom debates Journal entries Teacher observation of the student in group work
Explain the role of other staff members regarding the IEP
Data and information about the student that relates to their education
Explain the IDEA principle of Nondiscriminatory Evaluation.
Does the student's specially designed instruction and related services as a result of his/her Disability? Multiple Assessment Tools; Not just IQ. Must be assessed in all areas related to that disability Administered in language that will yield accurate results Evaluations are made by a multidisciplinary team Use instruments that are not culturally biased Administered by trained personnel conforming to test protocol Reevaluation (Every 3 years)
How often does the child in special education get reevaluated?
Every 3 years
When should the parent be informed about their struggling child during the assessment process?
From the very beginning (even before the teacher goes before the ARC committee) when the student starts to struggle
Should the student have any other testing after special education placement?
IQ, Behavior testing, etc
Describe the importance of the IEP after the parent has signed permission
If parent accepts testing; have to complete testing within 60 days of the parent signature per IDEA (use the state's timeline if it is different from the federal timeline)
Explain how abuse affects testing
If there is abuse in the child's background, you may get a skewed test result; always report this when presenting the child's scores when reporting to a committee; examples are a child who is overly nervous, jittery, listless, or overreacts to your requests
What are the pros and cons of formal assessment?
Informs the tester how that student "fits" in a national sample; helps qualify for our programs Highlights achievement differences Gives guidance to teachers Readies students for other assessments
Describe a learning styles assessment
Learning styles assessment states that student may learn and problem solve in different ways, and that some ways are more natural for them than others; when they are asked to perform in ways that deviate from their natural style, they are thought to learn/perform less well
Can you only use informal assessments? Why or why not?
No, they do not provide enough data
What are the 2 IDEA principles guiding testing?
Nondiscriminatory Evaluation & Due Process
Explain the significance of nonverbal tests and acculturation
Nonverbal tests can be used but even they do not erase all cultural issues
What things are discussed at an IEP meeting?
Placement (per IDEA Least Restrictive Environment) Related services Goals and objectives Beginning point of services Concerns of the parent
What are the pros and cons of informal assessment?
Pros Ongoing; continuous More natural testing environment Students are allowed to display other skills such as problem-solving skills, debate skills, etc. Improves performance Provides direction Can re-teach if necessary Can develop a strong picture of the child's strengths and weaknesses Cons Difficult to classify for assessment reasons Difficult to provide parents with understandable information Students might not take it seriously
What are the purposes of formal and informal assessment?
Provide feedback on student performance Improves performance Provides direction Can develop a strong picture of the child's strengths and weaknesses
What is the purpose of norm-referenced assessment?
Provide feedback on student performance Improves performance Provides direction Can develop a strong picture of the child's strengths and weaknesses
Describe the preparation of the ARC representative to prepare for the IEP meeting?
Schedule a time for all participants; ask the parents; give them at least 2 weeks notice; you need to have all participants there; if parents can't come, schedule a time to meet using an online program (e.g., Skype); make sure the parents know:
What are the parent's rights in Due Process?
School may not test children without parental consent School may not place children in special classes without parental consent Parents have the right to refuse testing and services for their students Confidentiality of all information pertaining to the student and his/her family Parents' have all access to all records pertaining to their student (careful what u write) Parents' must be informed of their rights; School must provide parents with due process rights once a year Parents' are team members in meetings involving identification, placement, and eval Schools must give parents options to participate (ex video calling) Parents' have the right to protest actions of the school through mediation, appeal to an impartial hearing officer for due process hearing
Label and explain the two types/stages of language for EL's
Social language skills (e.g., "What is your name?", "I like your sweater. Where did you get it?") are also called Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills. This type of language takes 1-2 years to develop. Competencies in academic language (e.g., "Look at the diagram on page 96. Which figure has the greater area, the quadrangle or the octagon? Write the formula for determining each area and show all of your work.") are also called Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency and typically take 5-7 years to develop.
What should you do if you feel you are testing in the wrong language?
Stop immediately
List the members of the IEP team.
Student's parents At least 1 general education teacher At least 1 special education teacher A representative of the school district An individual who can interpret instructional implications of evaluation results (psychologist) Other individuals who may have knowledge or expertise; if the parent brings a lawyer, stop Student, if appropriate
What behaviors might students who live in a low socioeconomic environment exhibit?
problems staying awake concentration problems remaining engaged with the person giving the test responding appropriately to the person giving the test (authority figure) communicating and performing at grade level
What is acculturation?
refers to a process an individual goes through in adapting to a new culture, and often depends on an individual's particular set of background experiences and opportunities to learn in both formal and informal educational settings.
What does assessment mean in education?
the process of collecting information about a student for the purpose of making decisions
