SPED 522a - Administration and Interpretation of Assessment Instruments (initial licensure)

4 credits
This Administration and Interpretation of Assessments course is for students in the initial licensure SPED Program. The course prepares students to administer and interpret formal and informal assessment instruments commonly used in the public schools to determine eligibility of students for special education services, to evaluate progress toward goals, and to make instructional decisions. While the assessment instruments featured may vary according to the adoptions of the local school districts and the needs of the students, this course will feature comprehensive assessments such as the Woodcock-Johnson III (Achievement & Cognitive) and Brigance. Students will also be introduced to formal academic assessments such as Key Math, Woodcock Reading Mastery, and DIBELS-II as well as a variety of additional diagnostic tools and curriculum-based measures.

Students will utilize observation, interview, and data collection to select appropriate diagnostic measurements according to learning style, type of disability and culture. The further examination of a variety of tools will aid in the evaluation and comprehension of a student’s academic and social-emotional growth.

Upon the completion of this course, students are expected to accurately administer, analyze and interpret assessment results. Students will achieve this through observation, accurate scoring of protocols, report writing and providing a verbal analysis of report findings. Finally, students will begin to understand disabilities as they relate to formal assessment and informal measurements and will be able to determine appropriate intervention plans for future academic and cognitive development.

Graded (A-F) only.