EDSP 6210 - Advanced Assessment Practices in Early Childhood General and Special Education

• Students will describe the formal and informal assessment tools used to screen, evaluate, and diagnose children and advocate for the use of the most appropriate assessment options.
• Students will explain core concepts in valid and reliable formal and informal assessments, family-centered approaches to assessment, and assessment theories.
• Students will use and advocate for recommended practices and culturally responsive assessment and evaluation practices that minimize bias and the incorrect identification of children from diverse backgrounds in special education.
• Students will report up-to-date and comprehensive assessment results so that they are understandable and useful to families and colleagues, refer families to appropriate community agencies and resources, and follow-up with families post-referral.
• Students will protect child and family confidentiality and only share evaluation and assessment information when there is a legitimate reason to do so.
• Students will use formal and informal assessment tools to develop individual intervention plans that reflect consideration of family resources, concerns, and priorities, and child assessment information.
• Students will select and use a variety of appropriate assessment methods to gather information on children, determine their present level of performance, monitor children’s progress, and achieve family-identified goals.
• Students will provide leadership in the selection and ongoing use of appropriate assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching on children’s learning and adapt instructional practices to meet the diverse learning needs of all children.
• Students will use data to continuously improve individual professional practice, the practices of colleagues, and the broader mission and goals of the school or organization.