TAKE YOUR ADVOCACY SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH JUST 12 ONE DAY CLASSES.

Evaluations 1- Academic and Cognitive  

Mastering Evaluations: A Comprehensive Guide for Education Advocates

COURSE NUMBER:      400- EAC

DURATION:                   19.45 hours

Lecture 8.45 hours in 30 videos with out of class assignments of 11.00 hours 
Academic institutions may accept 1.94 quarter credit hours or a no-credit / non-certification grade per course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Unlock the Secrets of Academic and Cognitive Evaluations: This comprehensive course equips education advocates with the expertise to navigate the complex world of educational assessments. Dive deep into the evaluation process, from understanding different assessment types to interpreting test results and advocating for appropriate evaluations. Empower yourself with the knowledge and strategies to secure the best outcomes for the students you serve.

SUMMARY

Elevate your advocacy skills with this must-have course on academic and cognitive evaluations. Gain the expertise to navigate the assessment process, interpret test scores, and advocate for the right evaluations - empowering you to secure transformative outcomes for students with diverse educational needs.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

This course is essential for education advocates because assessments are the foundation for identifying student needs, developing effective Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and ensuring students receive the support and services they require. By mastering the evaluation process, advocates can effectively champion for their students, challenge inappropriate assessments, and secure the comprehensive evaluations that unlock access to critical resources and interventions. This knowledge is a game-changer, equipping advocates with the tools to truly transform the educational trajectories of the students they serve.

RELATED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Use of Statistics in Testing
Disability Identification
Reading Disorders Review
Areas of Reading Assessment
Structured Reading Assessments
Types of Reading Deficits & Disorders
Dyscalculia Review
Written Language Review
Oral Language Review
Executive Functioning Review
Lists of Tests by Category
Inference Review
Social Interaction Skills Review
Theory of Mind Review
Pragmatic Language Skills Review

HOW THIS COURSE BENEFITS EDUCATION ADVOCATES

Comprehensive Evaluation Expertise:
• Take a deep dive into the entire evaluation process, attaining a thorough understanding of the different types of assessments, their purposes, and the critical components of comprehensive evaluations.
• From academic achievement to cognitive functioning, executive skills to adaptive behavior, participants will gain mastery over the full spectrum of evaluations.

Navigating the Assessment Landscape:
• Navigating the complex world of educational assessments can be daunting, but this course empowers advocates with the knowledge and strategies to effectively advocate for appropriate evaluations.
• Participants will learn how to facilitate the evaluation process, understand consent requirements, and identify common issues that may arise, arming them with the tools to ensure their students receive the rigorous and meaningful assessments they deserve.

Interpreting and Applying Evaluation Results:
• A crucial aspect of this course is the in-depth exploration of interpreting test scores & using evaluation data to drive educational decision-making.
• Advocates will learn how to analyze assessment results, identify areas of strength and need, and leverage this information to develop targeted, evidence-based interventions and accommodations within the IEP.

Advocacy Across Levels:
• The course not only equips advocates with individual-level skills but also prepares them to engage in systemic advocacy.
• Participants will learn how to challenge inappropriate evaluations, advocate for comprehensive assessments, and work collaboratively with IEP teams to ensure that the unique needs of each student are accurately identified and addressed.

By mastering the content of this course, education advocates will become empowered to navigate the evaluation landscape with confidence, secure the assessments their students require, and translate evaluation results into meaningful educational plans that unlock their students' full potential.

SPECIFIC SKILLS & STRATEGIES PROVIDED BY THE COURSE

SKILL 1. Evaluation Interpretation:
STRATEGIES
• Participants will learn how to thoroughly analyze and interpret the results of various academic, cognitive, and functional assessments.
• They will gain the ability to identify patterns, areas of strength and need, and the implications of test scores for educational programming.

SKILL 2. Collaborative IEP Development:
STRATEGIES
• The course equips advocates with communication and collaboration strategies to work effectively with IEP teams, including educators, related service providers, and school administrators.
• Advocates will learn how to present evaluation data in a clear and compelling manner, facilitate constructive discussions, and contribute to the development of appropriate educational goals and interventions.

SKILL 3. Advocating for Comprehensive Assessments:
STRATEGIES
• Participants will learn to recognize when evaluations are incomplete or inappropriate, and how to advocate for comprehensive, multi-disciplinary assessments that provide a holistic understanding of the student's needs.
• They will gain the skills to challenge evaluation findings and request additional or independent evaluations when necessary.

SKILL 4. Translating Evaluation Data into IEP Services:
STRATEGIES
• The course teaches advocates how to directly link evaluation results to appropriate educational services, accommodations, and support within the IEP.
• Participants will learn strategies for ensuring that the IEP is aligned with the student's unique strengths, needs, and the findings of the comprehensive assessments.

SKILL 5. Monitoring and Reviewing IEP Progress:
STRATEGIES:
• Advocates will learn to track student progress and advocate for timely re-evaluations to ensure the IEP remains responsive to the student's evolving needs.
• They will gain the skills to analyze and interpret progress monitoring data and use this information to advocate for necessary adjustments to the IEP.

By equipping advocates with these essential skills, the "Mastering Evaluations" course empowers them to effectively navigate the IEP process, ensure their students receive appropriate and comprehensive assessments, and translate evaluation data into tailored educational plans that unlock their students' full potential.

 CLASS OUTLINE:

Role of Special Education Advocate related to evaluations
Types of evaluations
Questions to ask about tests
ER and RR Issues
What do evaluations evaluate?
What evaluations are used for
IEE Independent Educational Evaluations
Common Issues with evaluations
Reason for disagreeing with an evaluation
Consent to evaluation - PTE
Areas of evaluation
Re-evaluations
Assessments requirements
Interpreting test scores
Progress monitoring
Sample letter requesting an evaluation
Test overview
Achievement / Skills
Executive functioning

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing the program, participants will:
• Understand the role of Special Education Advocate related to evaluations
• Types of evaluations and key components
• What are IEE Independent Educational Evaluations
• Identify issues related to interpreting test scores
• Define Executive Functioning
Elevate your advocacy skills with this must-have course on academic and cognitive evaluations. Gain the expertise to navigate the assessment process, interpret test scores, and advocate for the right evaluations - empowering you to secure transformative outcomes for students with diverse educational needs.

 
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