EDSP625

This course examines fundamental issues in assessment and measurement related to Special Education. Topics include: a study of various techniques and strategies of educational research; scales of measurement, emphasis on understanding and interpreting data and research both qualitative and quantitative. Students will interpret data (record keeping, grading, rubrics, formal and informal assessments, State assessments, authentic assessment, performance and portfolio assessment) and how the data relates to day to day classroom activities and educational trends. Students will be exposed to behavior intervention plans based on Functional Behavior Assessments. Students will understand the vocabulary and mathematics associated with reporting assessment results (validity, reliability, percentiles, stanines and standardization) as well as ethical issues (e.g., confidentiality of information, test bias and the use of inappropriate assessments for particular populations). A required outcome is for the students to conceptualize a preliminary proposal and formulate problems and/or topics for developing into individual projects as part of their thesis or capstone action research project.