Module 1: Navigating Assessments for Students with Complex Needs
Summary
Each assessment contributes to the picture of who the student is and assists educators to individualize learning opportunities. Remember, each student with complex needs is greater than the sum of their parts. The information in a student file will not tell you everything you need to know about a student. The family’s knowledge about their child supplements information gathered through assessment. Keep an open mind about the student’s abilities to ensure your classroom will be a welcoming, inclusive environment that provides meaningful opportunities to learn.
Key Terms
- Assessment
- Evaluation of a student’s capacity or skill, either for baseline or to compare progress.
- Criterion Referenced Assessments
- The process of evaluating learning against a set of predetermined criteria without comparing with the achievement of others.
- Presuming Competence
- An understanding that the student is capable.
- Standardized Test
- A test that compares a student’s score with normative values: how that student’s ability compares to their peers.
References and Resources
Horwath, J. (Eds.) (2001). The child's world: assessing children in need. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Huba, M.E. & Freed, J.E. (2000). Learner-centered assessment on college campuses: Shifting the focus from teaching to learning. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.