SPE501 Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents

This course provides an overview of the process involved in collecting information to specify learning strengths and weaknesses and making appropriate educational decisions. Legal, ethical, sociological, historical and cultural/linguistic assessment issues are addressed. Attention is given to: formal (e.g., norm- referenced test) and informal (e.g., classroom-based) assessment, issues of assessment bias, and limits of testing. Special emphasis is directed towards interpreting assessment results and connecting assessment to instruction. The role of the special educator as a collaborative consultant and multidisciplinary team member is considered. A minimum of 15 hours of clinical experience is required. Prerequisite(s): SPE500, SPE506, or consent of instructor. 3 semester hours