ESE 473 - Diagnosis and Assessment of Mild-Moderate Disabilities

3 Contact Hours, 3 Credits
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods


Comprehensive examination of special education assessment and evaluation methods. Includes assessment tools and techniques used for eligibility, monitoring and reporting student progress and individualized education program planning. Also includes formal and informal assessments, assessment and measurement concepts and principles, interpreting standardized tests, curriculum-based assessments, multi-tiered support and intervention, and the ethical and legal considerations in the assessment process. Emphasis is placed on data-driven decision-making and the application of assessment results to inform instructional planning and interventions.

Information: Education department approval is required before enrolling in this course.

1. Describe assessment concepts
2. Identify measurement principles
3. Create a multi-tiered system support plan
4. Communicate student progress.
5. Utilize assessment data for special education planning 
6. Interpret assessment data to inform short and long-term instructional decisions

1. Purposes
2. Historical and legal framework (IDEA, Section 504, FAPE) 
3. Ethical considerations 
4. Types of assessments 
5. Fairness and bias in testing
6. Addressing cultural and linguistic diversity in assessment

II. Measurement concepts and principles

1. Reliability 
2. Validity  
3. Norm-referenced vs. criterion-referenced scores 
4. Score interpretation terminology

III. Multi-Tiered Support and Intervention 

1. Overview of frameworks
2. Use assessment data to guide tiered interventions
3. Progress monitoring and data collection for student support

IV. Monitoring and Reporting Student Progress

1. Analyze assessment data
2. Document student growth and performance
3. Communicate assessment results to stakeholders (teachers, parents, specialists)

V. Assessment Data for Special Education Planning

1. Analyze standardized test scores
2. Identify strengths and areas of need for students with exceptionalities
3. Develop Individualized Education Program (IEP) components

VI. Assessment Data for Instruction

1. Use assessment results to drive instructional decisions
2. Align instructional supports and services with assessment results