Preview

Informal Assessment

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
989 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Informal Assessment
The Special Education program serves the rural county in the mid-south region of the United States. The Special Education Program is currently serving one- hundred students in the school district (four schools). A little under half of the faculty that is in the special education program possesses a graduate degree, and the other staff members have a bachelor degree in Special Education or add-on endorsements. The paraeducators have completed the highly-qualified assessment and in-service programs. The Special Education program evaluation consist of four schools (two middle schools and two high schools) with students with disabilities with a demographic of 85% Caucasian students, 10% African American students, 1% Asian students, and 4% Hispanic …show more content…
Informal assessment allows for a wider picture of the total student through portfolios, anecdotal notes, and works sample to ensure formal assessments are accurate because a student may just not be interested in the instructional strategies with one educator, but flourish with another teacher. The formal assessment uses standardized testing and IQ test, which allows for educators to evaluate the student based on the normal curve to determine if there is a deficit. Standardized testing can contain biased questions that limit the proficiency of students with certain disabilities and/or learning styles (Navarete, Wilde, Nelson, Martinez, & Hargett, 1990). The informal assessments in the special education program are carried out by the Special education teachers and the paraeducators throughout the school year. The informal assessments contain a portfolio of the students work, anecdotal notes (created by the teacher and the paraeducator), and criterion-references test created and carried out by the special education teacher and the highly-qualified paraeducator. In determining and carrying out the assessments whether it is formal or informal, educators must remember that no single assessment can be used to determine if a student has a disability (Pierangelo & Giuliani, …show more content…
The special education program is evaluated by an outside firm because it allows for biases to be reduced with validity and reliability. Another important external evaluation of the programs is parent survey through an on-line site. This allows for the district to determine the parent’s thoughts about the program. Internally, the special education programs are reviewed and conducted by the school special education director, principals, and the district office (superintendent), and is usually conducted three times during the school year with continuous meetings throughout the year. The special education programs have many strengths and weaknesses. The strengths of the programs are that the special education program has established additional programs to provide support systems for students. Another strength of the special education program is that the district hires highly qualified paraeducators as this helps with accountability of the program, and ensure extra support for teaching professionals. Another strength of the program is that the program has established a survey on-line for parents to evaluate the special education program. The weaknesses of the overall special education are that the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    They include a full accounting if IDEA provisions, inspection of all school records, attendance at all related meetings, and the right to deny certain actions regarding their child's education.Results of this comprehensive assessment will help educators and parents determine whether a conventional classroom, special education classroom, or combination of both will be most beneficial for the child to maximize learning…

    • 1207 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Looking back, it is very obvious that educating students with disabilities has come a long way over the years. Several laws have been put into place, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the American Disabilities Act (ADA), to prevent discrimination and ensure that all individuals are receiving the proper education. While these laws have been beneficial, inequalities are still present. One of the biggest, most influential imbalances is disproportionality, the overrepresentation and underrepresentation of specific demographic groups, in special education programs (National Education Association, 2008, p. 1).…

    • 469 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The wide range of Special educational needs (SEN) , meaning schools have to be adaptable and diverse to cater for the wide range of additional needs. This essay will briefly describe the range of SEN and outline how historical findings, government strategies and different psychological theories have changed the way SEN are approached.…

    • 2028 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    We have been looking at Special Educational Needs and Disability. There are two assignments for the unit. This is the first one. You can use the framework I have attached if you wish for your assignment. The remainder of the assessment criteria are assessed in the workplace by observation, reflective statement or witness statement.…

    • 1166 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Assessment

    • 6420 Words
    • 26 Pages

    The assessment cycle to ensure the learner has met the performance and knowledge criteria required to achieve the qualification achieved all aspects of the qualification successfully. The cycle will begin with the initial assessment which will establish any prior learning or experience of the subject to be taken and will identify individual learner’s needs. Furthermore, diagnostic tests can recognize if a learner has for instance, dyslexia. The second part of the cycle will be the assessment planning, where the assessor and…

    • 6420 Words
    • 26 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Compare/Contrast Standards

    • 1724 Words
    • 7 Pages

    | Foundations-Teachers must understand the field as an evolving and changing discipline based on philosophies, evidence-based principles and theories, laws and policies, diverse and historical points of view.-Teachers must also understand the influences of society on the special education field.Development of Learners-Teachers must be able to differentiate amid each student’s special disabilities and each type of learning mode.-Teachers will recognize the learning impact on students is not theirs alone but involves family and the community.-Teachers…

    • 1724 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Helping or Hovering?

    • 1406 Words
    • 6 Pages

    This study was conducted throughout 1994-96 school years in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Utah, and Vermont. Data was collected in 16 classrooms in 11 public schools where students with multiple disabilities were educated in general education classrooms. The grade levels included preschool (with students without disabilities), kindergarten, and Grades 1,2,3,5 and 11 (Grade 11 was primarily education within integrated community and vocational settings.) Primary study participants included students with disabilities and the adults who supported their education in these general education classes. The seven female and four male…

    • 1406 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Response To Intervention

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Three distinct elements make up tier 1 - a scientifically based core curriculum, screening and assessing of students at least three times per year, and professional development for teachers to ensure quality classroom instruction (Hughes). Approximately 80% of the student population falls into the category of tier 1 (special education guide). These students will be screened throughout the year in order to identify students who need additional instruction (RTI network). Methods used for screening are curriculum (or district) based measures and formative assessments (shenet). If a student is not performing up to the expected standards, that student is deemed to be “at risk” and he or she will be given additional instructional support during the school day for a period of no more than 8 weeks (RTI network). Students who show adequate progress during the 8 week intervention return to regular tier 1 instruction, while those students who continue to struggle are moved to tier 2 of the RTI…

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Swanson, E.A. (2004). Special education services in charter schools. The Educational Forum 69 (1), 34-43. Retrieved March 24, 2011, from H.W. Wilson database (Education Full Text).…

    • 3723 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    This essay is entitled Educating Special Needs Students, the author will discuss and several important issues, which will be the following; the defining of Mental Retardation a term the author despises, Autism, Severe Disabilities and Multiple Disabilities, also their causes, and the impact of these disabilities have on the education of students with Mental Retardation. In addition to the above mentioned, the essay will identify areas of curriculum, necessary for students with severe disabilities and will explain why. Addressed also will be the following; using the authors’ local school district, Las Vegas Nevada, an investigation into the policies, procedures, and programs for the education, of students with Mental Retardation, Autism, and or Severe Multiple Disabilities. Lastly, an explanation of how these policies, programs, and procedures, either address or ignore the area of curriculum, the author has listed within the content of the essay.…

    • 1470 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The name of the school was Brenneham Elementary, which is a K-8 school and one of the many, Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The focus of my observation and interview was to discuss diagnosis, prescription, evaluation, and analyses of goal instruction, daily role, and implementation in the classroom. The researcher’s observations and interview consisted of the realization of the importance of an IEP and DEP, including related terms and processes. The teacher being observed and interviewed, informed me of the actual work that is asked of a special educator.…

    • 1223 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Benchmark Assessment

    • 1816 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Micah, an eleventh grader with a learning disability in written expression and reading comprehension, is pending placement into a special education classroom. He is involved in extracurricular activities and does not want to stand apart from his friends and peers in regards to accommodations being made for his instruction time. Following is a look into the different placement options and why or why not Micah would benefit from it, technology and related services that he would need to help him progress in his areas of need, collaboration models for each placement that will help Micah’s teachers provide appropriate instruction, and a description of the most appropriate placement option with two Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Standards that align with the placement option.…

    • 1816 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    For the past ten years I have been educating and serving youth with moderate to severe disabilities. Students with moderate to severe disabilities require unique and individualized education plans. Law through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates the creation of Individualized Education Plan’s (IEP’s). It is imperative for IEP teams to develop effective plans with the intention of helping each student achieve his or her life goals. In order to develop effective IEP’s decisions must be informed through knowledge, analysis of program effectiveness, and good information (Fitzpatrict, Sanders, & Worthen, 2010). Evaluation plays a critical role in determining which supports, programs, and interventions are essential for the success of a student with moderate to severe disabilities. IEP teams can utilize both formal and informal evaluations to guide decisions and create effective service delivery models offered to students with moderate to…

    • 788 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Effective Assessment

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Additionally, being a special education director means that the person must have interpersonal skills to maintain relationships with many different stakeholders, and there is not much room for flaws and errors. Furthermore, determine the budget for special education can hold a huge weight on the director and can lead to positive of negative outcomes, such as the educators not having enough funding for materials. Personally, the scholar understands that it takes organizations skills and a person that can relate to many people in the field without having a biased opinion. Professionally, the scholar understands that materials are needed to be an innovative teacher and this can be an expensive expenditure.…

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While also allowing clues into ways to differentiate instruction, RTI assessments can highlight areas in a program that may need further instruction for more than a couple of students. (Gunning, 2013, p. 31) This data of the classroom, combined with the entire school or district, because of its standard form, provides a comparing ground from grade to grade, teacher to teacher, and school to school for evaluating the effect of evidence based practice and the students’ response to the instruction or program goals. RTI has proven an asset in assisting the analysis of those who maybe in need of special education instruction with continuing to collect data from year to year as support for the student and provide concentrated teaching for those who may need temporary or permanent…

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays