Psychoeducational Assessment Practices & IEP Development ((3 Credits))

Catalog description

This course focuses on special education processes, including screening, assessment, Individualized Education Program (IEP) development/monitoring, and evaluation. Referral and assessment for special education eligibility, norm-referenced and teacher-developed assessments, legal and procedural issues in IEP development, and strategies for assessing students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will be included. The course will include discussion and practice of the components of effective assessment, including examination of evaluation procedures, from pre-referral intervention, eligibility/placement decision making to progress monitoring of scientifically-based instructional interventions based on Response to Intervention (RTI) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Focus will include academic, affective, behavioral, adaptive functioning, and environmental measures. Students also will learn how to interpret and evaluate the psychometric properties of psycho-educational assessments as part of choosing valid and reliable assessment tools. Additional course topics will address emerging evaluation trends, test modifications/accommodations, parent involvement in the IEP process, and progress monitoring and reporting. Students must complete at least 10 hours (non-certified teacher candidates) or 5 hours (certified teacher candidates) in the classroom working with a certified special education teacher to explore the relevance of the topics they are studying to a classroom setting. Observation assignments will integrate theoretical and research-based concepts with classroom practice. This course is typically offered in the spring. Pre-Requisite: SPED-6005 AND EDUC-6015