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Understanding Assessment in the Special Education Process

A Step-by-Step Guide for Educators

By: Roger Pierangelo, George Giuliani

Build your knowledge of how the assessment process works!

This handbook provides clear information about the types of assessments that help determine student eligibility for special education services. Written by legal and special education experts, this guide defines disability categories and explains applicable federal regulations as they relate to the assessment process in special education. The authors outline a multidisciplinary approach for comprehensive evaluations based on observation, interviews, and testing. This indispensable resource clarifies the teacher's role in the referral process and covers:

The components of a professional evaluation report
Student behavior during assessment
Making presentations to an Individualized Education Program committee

Full description

Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781412917919
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2007
Page Count: 136
Publication date: November 19, 2007

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Description

"Short and to the point—a huge advantage! Easy to read and understand, and a great reference. This book is a must-have for every school building in every district!"
—Rachel Aherns, Collaborative Resource Teacher
Summit Middle School, Johnston, IA

Build your knowledge of how the assessment process works!

This compact handbook provides general and special education teachers with clear information about the types of assessments that help determine student eligibility for special education services. Written by legal and special education experts, this guide defines disability categories and explains applicable federal regulations as they relate to the assessment process in special education. The authors outline a multidisciplinary approach for comprehensive evaluations based on observation, interviews, and testing. This indispensable resource clarifies the teacher's role in the referral process and also covers:

The components of a professional evaluation report
Student behavior during assessment
Making presentations to an Individualized Education Program committee

An ideal step-by-step reference for instructors who have not had specific training in assessing students with special needs, Understanding Assessment in the Special Education Process helps educators make the most effective use of available assessment options.

Author(s)

Roger Pierangelo

Roger Pierangelo is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education and Literacy at Long Island University. He has been an administrator of special education programs and served for eighteen years as a permanent member of Committees on Special Education. He has over thirty years of experience in the public school system as a general education classroom teacher and school psychologist, and is a consultant to numerous private and public schools, PTAs, and SEPTA groups. Pierangelo has also been an evaluator for the New York State Office of Vocational and Rehabilitative Services and a director of a private clinic. He is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist, certified school psychologist, and a Board Certified Diplomate Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychology and Forensic Psychology. Pierangelo is currently president of The National Association of Special Education Teachers, executive director of The American Academy of Special Education Professionals, and vice-president of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education.

Pierangelo earned his BS degree from St. John's University, his MS from Queens College, Professional Diploma from Queens College, PhD from Yeshiva University, and Diplomate Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychology and Forensic Psychology from the International College of Professional Psychology. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, New York State Psychological Association, Nassau County Psychological Association, New York State Union of Teachers, and Phi Delta Kappa.

Pierangelo is the coauthor of numerous books, including The Big Book of Special Education Resources and The Step-by-Step Book Series for Special Educators.

George Giuliani

George Giuliani is an assistant professor at Hofstra University's School of Education and Allied Health and Human Services, in the Department of Counseling, Research, Special Education, and Rehabilitation. He is the executive director of the National Association of Special Education Professionals, president of the National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE), vice-president of the National Association of Special Education Teachers, and an educational consultant for various school districts. He has provided numerous workshops for parents and teachers on a variety of special education and psychological topics.

Giuliani earned Board Certification as a Diplomate Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychology and Forensic Psychology from the International College of Professional Psychology. Giuliani is also a New York State licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, and has an extensive private practice focusing on children with special needs. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, New York State Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, Suffolk County Psychological Association, Psi Chi, American Association of University Professors, and the Council for Exceptional Children. Giuliani earned his BA from the College of the Holy Cross, MS from St. John's University, JD from City University Law School, and PsyD from Rutgers University, The Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology.

Giuliani is the coauthor of numerous books, including The Big Book of Special Education Resources and The Step-by-Step Book Series for Special Educators.

Table of Contents

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Step I. Understanding Assessment and Special Education Assessment

Importance of Assessment

Purpose of Assessment

The Difference Between Testing and Assessment

Role of the Education Professional in the Special Education Process

Assessment and Federal Law

Step II. Understanding and Identifying Students Who Might Exhibit a Disability

Understand the Meaning of a "High Risk" Student

High Risk Students: Determine the Severity of the Problem

Understand How Tension Affects High Risk Students

Become Familiar With Common Avoidance Behavior Patterns Exhibited By High Risk Students

Conclusions

Step III. Understanding and Making a Referral to the Child Study Team

Understand Your Role in the Referral Process

Learn About the Membership of the CST

Understand What Takes Place at the CST Meeting

Learn About the Various Sources of Information Available on Your Student

Understand the Options of the CST

Conclusions

Step IV. Understanding and Obtaining Parental Informed Consent for Assessment

Step V. Understanding the Requirements of an Evaluation for a Suspected Disability

Step VI. Understanding the MDT and the Comprehensive Assessment

Understand the Responsibilities of the Team Assigned to Do the Comprehensive Assessment: The Multidisciplinary Team

Understand the Membership of the MDT

Step VII. Understanding the Various Methods of Assessment Options Available to the MDT

What Is a Comprehensive Assessment?

What Is Norm-Referenced Testing?

Primary Areas of Assessment

Conclusions

Step VIII. Understanding Basic Statistics and Scoring Terminology Used in Assessment

Age Equivalent

Alternate Forms Reliability

Concurrent Validity

Construct Validity

Content Validity

Correlation

Criterion-Related Validity

Grade Equivalent

Interrater Reliability

Mean

Median

Mode

Range

Percentile Rank

Predictive Validity

Raw Scores

Reliability

Reliability Coefficients

Scaled Scores

Split-Half Reliability or Internal Consistency

Standard Deviation

Standard Error of Measurement

Standard Scores

Stanine

Test-Retest Reliability

T Scores

Validity

z Scores

Conclusions

Step IX. Understanding Students' Behavior During the Assessment Process

Understand the Possible Effects of Examiner Variables

Understand How to Observe Overt Signs of Tension

Understand Behaviors That Are Observed . . .

Understand Behaviors That Provide Insight Into the Student's Organizational Abilities During the Assessment Process

Conclusions

Step X. Understanding the Components of a Professional Evaluation Report

Practical Guidelines for Writing a Professional Evaluation Report

Understand the Components of the Report

Step XI. Understanding What Is Required for a Presentation to the IEP Committee

Concluding Thoughts

Glossary

References and Suggested Readings

Index

Reviews

"Short and to the point—a huge advantage! Easy to read and to understand. A must-have for every school building in every district."

Rachel Aherns, Collaborative Resource Teacher
Summit Middle School, Johnston, IA

"This book clearly does just what it promises, providing a step-by-step guide about the special education assessment process."

Renee J. Ponce-Nealon, Third-Grade Teacher
Tolenas Elementary School, Petaluma, CA

"From understanding basic statistics to understanding the foundations of the MDT, this is a powerful tool that educators need."

California Bookwatch, January 2008
Midwest Book Review

Other Titles in: Special Education Assessment & Testing | Inclusive Education | Teaching Methods & Learning Styles

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Review Copies

This book is not available as a review copy.