Candidates utilize these approaches to assess the developmental, academic, behavior, social, communication, vocational and community life skills needs of students and the outcomes of instruction. Candidates are introduced to basic assessment and evaluation principles. The course includes the study of dropout rates, challenges related to undocumented immigrants and the impact of family structure on the assessment and evaluation practices. The focus is primarily based on the continuous cycle of assessment and instruction so that the needs of individual students are met.
Candidates also learn the role of both standardization and informal assessments.
Candidates learn to assess all aspects of reading and language arts, from concepts of print through written language. They also learn principles of second language acquisition and strategies for making instruction accessible to children acquiring English. The conceptual framework of the department s assessment process is provided in reference to the pre-referral process. Candidates identify multicultural and linguistic dimensions in educational assessment. The influence of second language acquisition and cultural values, beliefs and practices on assessment outcomes are emphasized.