Discussion 1

Using the Right Tool for the Right Job

Resources

Microsoft Word icon Attributes and Evaluation of Discussion Contributions.

In this unit, you read about changes over time in the procedures for evaluating SLDs. Recently, most states changed their existing rules and regulations to include a RTI model, which identifies three levels of intervention or teaching to facilitate learning for all students. Subsequently, it became important to determine tests or assessments, which would provide monitoring or progress within each level of instructional intervention.

However, this model for teaching has now been utilized as a method for identifying students as having a learning disability. You were also introduced to a number of diagnostic measures for monitoring progress, which included nationally standardized tests, as well as locally normed standardized measurement procedures called CBM. In addition, the authors of your Psychological Testing and Assessment text presented several questions or concerns regarding the use of diagnostic tests when working with individuals suspected as having a learning disability.

Based on your unit readings, complete the following for this discussion:

•Outline the concerns that may exist with using an RTI model when identifying students suspected as having a learning disability.

•Identify some of the limitations or concerns that may result from using diagnostic tests (both nationally standardized and CBM) when working with all students, as well as students suspected as having a learning disability.

•Identify some of the strengths in using these tests or measurements for progress monitoring.

•Summarize this information and present a recommendation for the use of the RTI model, nationally standardized diagnostic tests, locally normed CBM, and intelligence and academic achievement tests, and their role in monitoring educational progress and identification of a learning disability.

Discussion 2

Selecting a Fair and Appropriate Test

Resources

Your third course assignment, Evaluation of Test Materials and Procedures, is due by the end of this unit. This assignment includes searching through reviews of your selected test in Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY) database from Buros, publisher Web sites, and articles in peer-reviewed journals for information about the test's item format, and fairness and appropriateness of test materials. You may find it helpful to include keyword searches in your reviews of documents for these topics; that is, conduct a search in your document for keywords such as format, fair, and appropriate.

For this discussion, however, you will only be required to provide your initial findings regarding any information about the fairness or appropriateness of your selected test. This content may include information you discovered about possible modifications, accommodations, alternate formats, language formats or considerations, et cetera. You are not required to report on all these elements but just on any element that you can identify in your research on your selected test. Many times, you may find this information in one or more review in the MMY.

Include any difficulties you may be experiencing with searching for information in Buros MMY, publisher Web sites, or peer-reviewed journal articles regarding this content.