Advanced Seminar in Linguistically and Culturally Responsive Assessment

Catalog description

This course is an extension of PSYG 6544 with emphasis on the assessment of English Learners and learners with diverse cultural backgrounds. Advanced issues in administration, scoring, theoretical interpretation, psychometric and qualitative characteristics, and comparative analysis of both contemporary cognitive and academic ability test batteries with individuals who are culturally and linguistically diverse form the major components of this course. Emphasis is placed on an integrated approach to assessment, report writing, and interpreting data from cognitive and achievement batteries with current, research-based methods that represent best practices in nondiscriminatory assessment and intervention. Candidates examine the historical perspective and theoretical understanding of critical issues in multicultural education and psychology. The course addresses the role of the bilingual school psychologists working with culturally and linguistically diverse students as well as the impact of cultural factors on the assessment process of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Candidates will gain knowledge on differentiating learning disorders from the process of second language acquisition through the use of non-biased assessment including testing in the child's native language, bilingual testing, and adaptation of standardized instruments and techniques.