1. Reading: Chapter 8 in Overton text–paying close attention to the section on the WJ-IV

 

Complete the following and Copy and Paste into the discussion (Please do not post as an attachment). Respond to 2 classmates by Friday.

 

You will also submit under week 4 Assignments.

 

What Standardized Assessment is used in your School District? If possible, find out why this assessment is used. (If you are not currently teaching, use New York direct)

Discuss why Standardized Assessments are used to guide placement.

Do you agree or disagree with their use for this purpose? Explain.

Which of the tests discussed in Chapter 8 were you most impressed with and why?

What else should be considered before providing a student with an sp. ed. classification?

How does this differ from RTI requirements of Tier 2 and 3?

 

Classmate 1: Right now, I currently work at a Preschool surrounded by children of one to three years old. The Standardized Assessment used in this district is the Peabody Individual Achievement Test. This assessment is used on children at a young age because staff and parents can see where a child stands in a classroom. Reading recognition is essential because it allows the school to see whether students can match a picture, letter, or word to an article or item. General information is also used after reading a short story to see whether the child was engaged and understood what occurred while being read to them.

 

This assessment guides placement between basal and ceiling levels that are consistent across subtests. When a student answers fives items correctly, this is considered a basal level. When a student answers five or seven things incorrectly, this is regarded as a ceiling level, allowing a district to see where to place a child in a classroom.

 

I agree with how standardized assessment is used in schools because it allows students to be placed on their own needs. Every student learns at a different pace, and every child isn’t the same when coming to learning. Getting a child the correct help and academic achievement at an earlier age will make their futures brighter and more fulfilling.

 

Process Assessment of the Learner Assessment for Math impressed me. Students from K-6 are given this assessment based on oral counting to spatial working memory. This assessment is excellent for all age groups because several children struggle with math. After all, numbers could be confusing, especially when counting forwards and backward and understanding certain concepts.

 

Before placing a child in a particular education class, explaining and guiding them should be considered prior. Getting approval from parents and allowing the district to assess specific examinations must be provided and achieved. RTI will enable students to get the help they need before being put into special education classrooms. Tier 2 is applied to reduce or eliminate learning difficulties as soon as they are identified. Tier 3 allows learning problems to help improve student success.

 

Classmate 2：In the school district I attended; the Peabody Individual achievement test was issued. This assessment was administered because the test is contained in four easels called volumes. It is easy to administer and score because the basal and ceiling levels are consistent across subtests. Scoring procedures are explained in full detail to give teachers a more accessible opportunity to achieve and track.

Standardized tests are used to guide placement because data is technically adequate. Scores are based on national averages based on age. A student’s performance on standardized tests is a good indicator of where a student is compared to others. These assessments allow teachers to collect data on cognitive abilities and thinking patterns.  Teachers need additional information to make decisions about student placement. Standardized tests are a way to receive that information.

I agree with how standardized testing is used because it is reliable and valid. These tests may cause a lot of stress and anxiety on students, but the real reason is to see where students excel and struggle. The evidence from these tests contains reliability that would not be achieved from the teacher-made assessments. Standardized tests are not the only indicator of student performance and aptitude.

Many other aspects should be considered before a child is placed in special education. Students may not be good test-takers, but this does not mean they cannot succeed with proper instruction and support. A student needs to be assessed and evaluated in different ways. High-level practices and evidence-based strategies should be used before placing a student in special education.

RTI is used to give students who need additional support the support they need before they are placed in special education. Tier 2 and Tier 3 are added interventions in the general education classroom. Teachers must modify instruction and support before special education consideration.