Identifying and Programming for Student Needs

Prereferral Child Study and Referral

What are Prereferral interventions? Interventions attempted in general education classrooms prior to a formal referral for a special education evaluation.

Prereferral Interventions Include:

• Individualized Instruction
• Behavior management
• Small group teaching
• Modified curriculum
• Consultation/collaboration
• Parent conferences
• Peer tutoring
• Parent volunteers
• Cooperative learning

Testing Vs. Assessment

Testing-presentation of tasks or questions to a student within an organized context in order to obtain a score.

Assessment-broader than testing in that in involves looking at the global evaluative results and their implications for student performance. Assessment is concerned with qualitative as well as quantitative components of performance and seeks to capture a more complete picture of the student through the determination of current functioning levels.

Issues and Concerns

Test bias

• Tests should not be racially or culturally discriminatory
• No single tests may be used as the sole criterion for determining appropriate educational program
• Bias in assessment can include administrative practices
• The multidisciplinary team must gather data in a nondiscriminatory fashion

Assessment-governing Procedures

• Initiated only when sufficient cause is documented
• Parents must consent and have rights to participate in and appeal any determinations made
• Assessments can be undertaken only by fully qualified professionals
• Procedures must be adjusted to account for disabilities in hearing, vision, health etc.
• Modified to accommodate culture or language
• Conclusions and recommendations should be made on multiple sources of data
• Periodic reassessments must be made to reevaluate previous judgments and to consider programming changes

The role of the classroom teacher in the assessment process

• Ask questions
• Seek help to conveying information to parents
• Provide input
• Observe assessment practices
• Consider issues of possible bias
• Avoid viewing assessment as a means of confirming a set of observations or conclusions about a students difficulties.

Eight Components of an IEP

1. Present level of performance
2. Annual goals
3. Short term objectives
4. Related services
5. Description of LRE
6. Dates of start and re-evaluation.
7. Signatures and documentation
8. Transition plans (age 14 and up)