Scientifically-proven and research-based practical and authentic assessments will be examined for application to the needs of exceptional and special education students.  The use of research-based assessment practices will be used to inform instructional planning and differentiated classroom practices.  Formal and informal assessments will include intelligence testing, examining IEP goals, SLOs, formative assessments to include observational and anecdotal data, performance tasks, learning style inventories, behavioral assessment, criterion-referenced assessments, and standardized assessments. Data will be used to differentiate with while aligning best practices with students’ individual learning needs.

Course Outcomes:

  • Evaluate and make decisions about the needs of their students to align best instructional strategy to those needs.
  • Through job-embedded participation, practice with several research-based assessments in order to determine student needs, learning readiness, and needed instructional support.
  • Use research-based strategy to plan for instruction and instructional intervention, or modify existing instructional plans, for the special needs and exceptional learners in their classrooms.

This course is 20 hours