ED 560 - Assessment for Instructional Design and Decision Making

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the assessment and evaluation cycle employed within the special education process. During this course, learners will distinguish the special educator’s role within the multidisciplinary assessment process including how the evaluative data drives the planning and development of an individualized program. Additionally, the mandatory safeguards that assure ethical evaluation and assessment practices do not discriminate on the basis of race, culture, or native language are examined.

Participants focus on assessing learners with special needs, with an emphasis on measuring a learner’s abilities and diagnosing his or her strengths and needs. Commonly used tests and evaluation systems used in public school special education programs are examined. Participants review guidelines and procedures for developing the individualized education program and evaluate the use of progress monitoring assessments to assess student performance. The special education referral process, the use of multi-tiered systems of support and response to intervention for assessment and remedial purposes, and basic remediation principles and strategies are also discussed.

Three credits.