EDU 223AF: Lesson One
Respond to the prompts below in detail using evidence from the lesson,
required readings, and multimedia resources.
1. What two situations might precipitate the assessment of a child’s eligibility for
special education?
There are two ways to initiate the evaluation process for special education services.
The parents may request to have their child assessed or the school may recommend
the student get evaluated for learning disabilities.
2. Describe the role of the special educator in the assessment process.
The IEP case manager sends out a prior written notice to the parents to receive
consent to administer an evaluation for a learning disability. If consent is given, the
school psychologist conducts the evaluations. The case manage uses the
assessment results to determine if further steps are necessary. If so, an IEP
meeting is held. The Multi-disciplinary Evaluation Team (MET), which includes the
special education teacher, collaborate and determine needed accommodations
and/or modifications, and set data-driven goals. It is responsibility of the special
education teacher to use the plan to create assessments that determine the
student’s baseline and their academic progress throughout the year.
3. Explain why it’s important to use a variety of assessments to guide educational
decisions that impact students. Which HLP does this correlate with?
High Leverage Practices (HLP) are instructional methods that should be used to
improve student academic achievement. There are 22 High Leverage Practices.
HLP4 involves the use of multiple assessment tools to guide educational decisions
for a student. It is important to use a variety of assessments because it provides
feedback from all angles to determine student academic performance and area of
need. These assessments take the form of norm-referenced assessments, criterionreferenced assessments, curriculum based assessments, interviews, observations,
work samples, etc. The collected material is then used to create an IEP in which
teachers can use as a template to tailor lesson delivery to positively impact the
academic success of the student.
4. Explain why special educators need to communicate and collaborate with parents
and colleagues regarding assessment results. Which HLP does this correlate
with?
Communication between parents, administration, fellow teachers, and others within
the MET is key to providing the best educational opportunities for the student to
learn and be successful. The special education teacher is responsible for interpreting
information to all parties involved in the educational performance of the student.
This practice is identified as HLP5, “interpret and communicate assessment
information with stakeholders to collaboratively design and implement educational
programs”.
5. How can assessment drive instruction? Which HLP does this correlate with?
Assessments help determine an area(s) of need of improvement for academic
success. The results are used by the educator to adjust lesson delivery, material,
assignments, etc. to better aid the student in understanding and retaining lesson
content. Using assessments to drive instruction for student success falls under
HLP6, “use student assessment data, analyze instructional practices, and make
necessary adjustments that improve student success”.