Student Outcomes Assessment Plan
Department of Special Education
M.A.E. in Special Education
SOA PLAN
I
Department Philosophy of Outcomes Assessment
The MAE Major in Special Education offers four emphasis areas: 1) Field Specialization,
Consultation, 3) Career/Vocational Programming and Transition, and 4) Visual
Impairments. The MAE program is designed to prepare students who are highly
informed in research, pedagogical methodology, and instructional implementation related
to working with children and youth with disabilities. The students will also have the
needed skills to conduct field-based research and serve as leaders in their field. In
addition to the special education students, our MAE program provides coursework for
graduate students in other disciplines, such as school psychology, educational leadership,
early childhood, social work, and speech pathology.
II
Outcomes and Competencies
A
Demonstrate knowledge of the research process
Demonstrate knowledge of different types of research methodologies,
including quasi-experimental, descriptive, single case, and qualitative research;
Demonstrate knowledge of how research questions are formulated, identify
what methodologies and measures are appropriate for these questions, and
select procedures that are appropriate for addressing research questions
Exhibit the ability to read, interpret, and critique various types of research
based articles (meta analyses, research studies, review articles, conceptual
articles, etc.).
B
Demonstrate the ability to engage in independent research
Design and conduct a rigorous study to address a research question related to
a topic of importance in the field of special education
Express the skill of presenting theoretical and research outcomes through
written, electronic, or oral means
C
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assume a leadership role in
supporting and advocating for children with learning and/or behavioral
challenges
Demonstrate knowledge of important issues in the field of Special Education,
such as diversity, inclusion, disproportionality or overrepresentation of
minorities, etc. Demonstrate an understanding of how these issues impact the
quality of life and services for children with disabilities and their families
Demonstrate knowledge of effective practices for addressing the needs of
children with disabilities and their families
Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with and support other professionals and
family members in designing and implementing high quality practices
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to design and promote
systemic change that leads to large scale and lasting improvements in services
for children with disabilities and their families
Demonstrate the ability to promote effective policy and practice for children
with disabilities and their families through participation in professional
organizations and conferences
Competency A: Demonstrate knowledge of the research process
Measure or
Competency
Assessment Methods
(What, who, how)
Frequency and
Timing
How Results will be Used/
Shared Internally
Demonstrate
knowledge of
different types of
research
methodologies,
including quasiexperimental,
descriptive, single
case, and qualitative
research;
This competency will be
assessed through
assignments for three core
research courses that are
required for MAE students
(250:205, 220:293, and
220:295). Assessments are
conducted by instructors
who examine and grade
written and oral
assignments.
Assessments occur
during semesters
when students take
three core courses.
Assessments occur
on an ongoing basis
in accordance with
course readings and
assignments
Students’ grade for each
research class is posted and
recorded. We will also use
a checklist that lists the
individual assignments that
are pertinent to this
competency for each
course. This checklist will
be shared with the student’s
advisor and other
department faculty
Demonstrate
knowledge of how
research questions are
formulated, identify
what methodologies
and measures are
appropriate for these
questions, and select
procedures are
appropriate for
addressing research
questions
This competency will be
assessed through the three
core research courses listed
above, as well as, through
students’ performance in
developing their MAE
study. Assessments will be
conducted by course
instructors and the students’
adviser by examining
performance on course
assignments and the
research proposal.
Assessments occur
during semesters
when students take
the core courses and
when the student is
actually in the
process of designing
and conducting a
research study for
their MAE.
Students’ grade for each
research class is posted and
recorded. We will also use
a checklist that lists the
individual assignments that
are pertinent to this
competency for each
course. This checklist will
be shared with the student’s
advisor and other dept
faculty. Finally, copies of
final research papers are
stored in Dept office
How/With Whom
Results will be Shared
Externally
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. Results will
also be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. Results will
also be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Exhibit the ability to
read, interpret, and
critique various types
of research based
articles (meta
analyses, research
studies, review
articles, conceptual
articles, etc.).
This competency will be
assessed through three
methods: (a) the core
research classes and
additional MAE courses;
(b) the students’
comprehensive exam,
which involves reading and
summarizing research
based articles, and (c)
students’ final research
paper, which includes a
literature review section.
Assessments occur
on an ongoing basis
throughout the entire
MAE program,
including
coursework, the
process of designing
and conducting a
study, and writing
and submission of
comprehensive exam.
Students’ grade for each
research class is posted and
recorded. We will also use
a checklist that lists the
individual assignments that
are pertinent to this
competency for each
course. This checklist will
be shared with the student’s
advisor and other dept
faculty. Finally, copies of
final research papers are
stored in Dept office.
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. These results
will be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Competency B: Demonstrate the ability to engage in independent research
Measure or
Competency
Assessment Methods
(What, who, how)
Frequency and
Timing
How Results will be Used/
Shared Internally
Design and conduct a
rigorous study to
address a research
question related to
a topic of importance
in the field of special
education
This competency will be
assessed with two methods.
First, the three research
courses each include
assignments that involve
designing a study. Second,
all students design and
conduct a research study as
part of their MAE
requirements. This
competency will be
assessed by course
instructors and advisers.
This competency will be
assessed by examining
students’ final MAE study.
These presentations always
involve a written paper and
some students choose a
thesis option, which
requires an oral defense.
Assessments will be
conducted by the student’s
adviser and committee
members.
Assessments occur
during semesters
when students take
the core research
courses and when the
student is in the
process of designing
and conducting their
actual study.
Students’ grade for each
research class is posted and
recorded. We will also use
a checklist that lists the
individual assignments that
are pertinent to this
competency for each
course. This checklist will
be shared with the student’s
advisor and other
department faculty.
Assessments are
conducted at the end
of the student’s
program, as they
write up and present
their finished study.
Copies of final research
papers are stored in Dept
office. Individual faculty
members in the Dept of
Special Education will have
access to these papers.
Express the skill of
presenting theoretical
and research
outcomes through
written, electronic, or
oral means
How/With Whom
Results will be Shared
Externally
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. These results
will be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. These results
will be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Competency C: Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assume a leadership role in supporting and advocating for
children with learning and/or behavioral challenges
Measure or
Competency
Assessment Methods
(What, who, how)
Frequency and
Timing
How Results will be Used/
Shared Internally
Demonstrate
knowledge of
important issues in
the field, such as
diversity, inclusion,
disproportionality or
overrepresentation of
minorities, etc.
Demonstrate an
understanding of how
these issues impact
the quality of life and
services for children
with disabilities and
their families
Demonstrate
knowledge of
effective practices for
addressing the needs
of children with
disabilities and their
families
This competency will be
assessed by examining
students’ completion of
course assignments and
their conduct of a final
study/paper. All MAE
courses address these issues
and students are required to
read and critique articles,
present a position, and
design/propose research to
address these issues.
Assessments will be
conducted by course
instructors and advisors.
This competency will be
assessed by examining
students’ performance on
course assignments and
completion of
comprehensive exams
and/or final research paper.
Assessments will be
conducted by course
instructors and faculty
advisors.
Assessments occur
on an ongoing basis
throughout the entire
MAE program,
including
coursework, the
process of designing
and conducting a
study, and writing
and submission of
comprehensive exam.
Students’ grade for each
research class is posted and
recorded. We will also use
a checklist that lists the
individual assignments that
are pertinent to this
competency for each
course. This checklist will
be shared with the student’s
advisor and other
department faculty
Assessments occur
on an ongoing basis
throughout the entire
MAE program,
including
coursework, the
process of designing
and conducting a
study, and writing
and submission of
comprehensive exam.
Students’ grade for each
research class is posted and
recorded. We will also use
a checklist that lists the
individual assignments that
are pertinent to this
competency for each
course. This checklist will
be shared with the student’s
advisor and other
department faculty
How/With Whom
Results will be Shared
Externally
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. These results
will be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. These results
will be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Measure or
Competency
Demonstrate the
ability to collaborate
with and support
other professionals
and family members
in designing and
implementing high
quality practices
Assessment Methods
(What, who, how)
This competency will be
assessed by examining
students’ performance in
field-based assignments.
For example, some students
enroll in practica that
involve teaching children,
and other courses require
students to collaborate
with others in designing &
implementing practices.
Assessments will be
conducted by course
instructors and advisors.
Demonstrate the
This competency will be
knowledge and skills assessed by examining
necessary to design
students’ performance on
and promote systemic course assignments and
change that leads to
completion of
large scale and lasting comprehensive exams
improvements in
and/or final research paper.
services for children
Assessments will be
with disabilities and
conducted by course
their families
instructors and faculty
advisors.
Frequency and
Timing
How Results will be Used/
Shared Internally
Assessments occur
on an ongoing basis
throughout the entire
MAE program.
Students’ grade for each
research class is posted and
recorded. We will also use
a checklist that lists the
individual assignments that
are pertinent to this
competency for each
course. This checklist will
be shared with the student’s
advisor and other
department faculty
Assessments occur
on an ongoing basis
throughout the entire
MAE program,
including
coursework, the
process of designing
and conducting a
study, and writing
and submission of
comprehensive exam.
Students’ grade for each
research class is posted and
recorded. We will also use
a checklist that lists the
individual assignments that
are pertinent to this
competency for each
course. This checklist will
be shared with the student’s
advisor and other
department faculty
How/With Whom
Results will be Shared
Externally
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. These results
will be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. These results
will be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.
Demonstrate the
ability to promote
effective policy and
practice for children
with disabilities and
their families through
participation in
professional
organizations and
conferences
This competency will be
assessed by monitoring
students’ participation in
campus, local, state, and
national organizations that
promote advocacy for
children with disabilities
and their families.
Assessments will be
conducted by faculty
advisors.
Assessments will be
conducted every
semester.
We will use a checklist to
have students report their
involvement in these
activities. This checklist
will be administered every
semester.
Department staff will
summarize and share
results for all MAE
students at the end of
each year. These results
will be shared with
faculty in the Dept of
Educational Psychology
and Foundations and
with the Special
Education Advisory
Board.