Module 1: Navigating Assessments for Students with Complex Needs
Why Assessment Matters
Assessment can be defined as the process of gathering and discussing information from multiple and diverse sources in order to develop a deep understanding of what students know, understand, and can do with their knowledge (Huba & Freed, 2000). Knowing your student’s strengths and needs provides a starting point for building learning opportunities and identifying the supports needed to make things happen.
Assessments can be the mechanism that qualifies a student to receive specialized supports, such as:
- Vision assessment needed to receive support from the teacher of the Visually Impaired
- Diagnosed hearing loss (or audiology assessment) needed to receive support from the teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
- Psychological Assessment to obtain CLBC funding upon graduation
Other assessments and reports are for informing practice and service delivery. These assessments are generally discipline specific and reflect assessment and recommendations of a particular specialist. Descriptive assessments and reports emphasize what the student is working on rather than evaluating their abilities. OTs, PTs, and SLPs conduct and write descriptive reports.