SPED 511 01: Identification and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs

Please see Discussion Board #1 for introduction.

The candidate will:

1. Understand the basic terminology used in assessment and the legal provisions and ethical principles regarding assessment of young children. (CC851 and CC852)
2. Understand screening, pre-referral, referral, and classification procedures. (CC8K3)
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the differences between norm-referenced and criterion referenced assessments and the appropriate application. (CC854, CC8S2, EC8662)
4.  Express an understanding of play based assessment within a transdisciplinary team and the appropriate application. (CC854, CC8S2, EC8662)
5. Articulate in writing the importance of team concept in the assessment of young children with disabilities. (EC10K1, EC10S3)
6. Demonstrate in writing competence in the administration and interpretation of appropriate assessment tools for use with young children with disabilities. (EC8S1, CC862, CC864)
7. Demonstrate in writing competence in the application of assessment information in the program planning for young children with disabilities and their families. (EC10S2)
8. Demonstrate in writing an understanding of the strengths and challenges in the process of evaluating young children with disabilities. (EC8S3)
9. Express in classroom discussion an understanding of strengths and challenges in the process of completing family assessments related to young children with disabilities. (EC8S4, EC8S5, EC8S6, EC9S3)
10. Report assessment results in a positive manner and relate the information through a team process to the child’s programming. (CC867, CC8S8, EC8S3) 

In order to succeed in this course, at a minimum, you should be able to:

• Navigate in and use basic Blackboard functions.
• Download and open electronic documents.
• Create, save, and upload/attach electronic documents.
• Send, receive, and manage email.

Access and Log in Information

This course was developed and will be facilitated utilizing Blackboard. To get started with the course, please go to: http://blackboard.UND.edu and log in with your NDUS.Identifier, Username and Password. If you do not know your NDUS Identifier or have forgotten your password, please visit Your NDUS Account page on the UIT website.

Course Overview

The course content is organized by week for this semester. Each week contains a purpose, learning outcomes, and a variety of links to articles, video/audio files, and other instructional resources selected to enhance the learning experience and support the various topics. Discussions, quizzes, tests and assignments will be used to assess your comprehension and application of those materials.

What Should Students Do First?

Prior to the start of the first week you should have reviewed the syllabus and purchase your textbook.

How Students Should Proceed Each Week for Class Activities

On the left side course menu in Blackboard there is a “Lessons” tab. Inside Lessons you will find all the required readings, videos, and assignments/activities for the week. An overview of each week can be found in Blackboard under the Schedule tab.

Resources

Many services are available to UND students such as writing assistance from the UND Writing Center, free online tutoring from Smarthinking, and more. Visit the Student Resources page for more information. Students also have access to the UND Student Resource Site via Blackboard. It is recommended that you become familiar with the tools and tutorials within the site to better equip you in navigating the course.

Course Requirements/Expectations

Insert the course requirements/expectations. An example is posted below.

1. The student will review the syllabus and course schedule posted in Blackboard. It will be important to read the course schedule each week so that you know whether you need to prepare, post answers to the discussion board, submit assignments, take quizzes, or complete field work.
2. The student will access and follow all course instructions found in the weekly area of the Blackboard course.
3. The student will participate in any lecture or discussion sessions online as provided and as part of this course.
4. The student will complete and submit assignments, exams, quizzes, etc. by the dated noted and in the manner described in Blackboard and on the course schedule. We will use Central Standard Time for due dates and times.
5. Please contact me if there is an extenuating circumstance that prohibits you from meeting the deadline for submitting assignments by the due date. If you do not contact me, one point per day will be deducted for late assignments. Posting after 8:00 a.m. CST will be considered late even if posted on that day.  
6. The student will participate fully and in a timely manner to get the benefit of learning from instructor and/or peers.
7. Identify one child to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 on for this course. This screening is a questionnaire that parents complete, and you score. It is available in specific month intervals, so you will need the correct questionnaire for the child's age.
8.  Complete a developmental evaluation on a child between three to five years old. You will need a norm-referenced assessment (e.g., Battelle Developmental Inventory, Mullen’s Scales of Learning) and a criterion-referenced assessment (e.g., Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP), Brigance Developmental Inventory, AEPs). A list of norm and criterion referenced assessments is in Lesson 1.

9. Check your local early childhood special education program, Head Start program or early intervention program in your school district or state to see if you can borrow these instruments. If you are unable to locate the instruments, please email contact your instructor right away. 

Instructor Responsibilities and Feedback

• The instructor will provide feedback on all assignments and group activities by Wednesday of the following week.
• The instructor will be available during appointed Zoom Office Hours to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer advice.

Announcements

Announcements will be posted in Blackboard on a regular basis. Be sure to check the class announcements regularly as they will contain important information about class assignments and other class matters.

Email

You are encouraged to email your instructor with any questions about the course. T= But, if you need to contact me directly, check the Faculty tab in Blackboard or the syllabus for my contact information. I will respond back to you within 48 hours during the week or weekend.

Discussion Boards

This tool is an excellent way for you to engage with the course material and with your peers. Each week we will have a discussion board to participate in. You are expected to read all assigned discussion boards and provide thoughtful contributions.

Course Etiquette

When participating in class (online or in person) it is important to interact with your peers in an appropriate manner. Always use professional language (no netspeak) in your postings and emails. Please be respectful of your classmates at all times even if you disagree with their ideas.

Assignment                                               Final Grade

1. Quizzes (10 @ 10 pts each)                                            50 Points
2. Weekly Discussion Boards (8 @ 10 pts each)                80 Points
3. Developmental Screening                                              25 Points
4. Developmental Assessment                                           50 Points
5. Legal Issues Assignment                                               20 Points
6. Assessment Names Submission                                      5 Points
7. Norm-Referenced Assessment Assignment                  10 Points
8. Criterion-Referenced Assessment Assignment             10 Points
9. Course Evaluation                                                            5 Points

                  Total: 255 Points

Final Grade Scale

> 92% A

84-91% B

76-83% C

68-75% D

< 68% F