EDUC P20A - Psycho-educational Assessment for School Psychologists

Fall. (4). S. Ward. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the M.Ed. Program in School Psychology and concurrent enrollment in EDUC F67

This year-long course sequence is designed to introduce students to a problem-solving model of assessment for addressing children’s educational and behavioral problems. The model defines educational problems situationally as the difference between what is expected and what occurs. These difficulties do not reside solely within the individual child, but result from the interaction between student behavior, curriculum, and instruction. The model defines ‘effective assessment’ as assessment which evaluates the situation as well as the child and which produces effective interventions. Effective assessment employs standardized tests, rating scales, structured interviews, record review, systematic observation, and curriculum-based measurement. Training and practice in the assessment techniques and application of this problem-solving model will be the focus of this course. Specifically, students will develop competencies in the following areas of assessment: intellectual ability, academic achievement, processing skills, personality and behavior problems, observations and interviews. Students will communicate assessment findings and recommendations clearly and concisely in jargon-free, family-friendly reports. A practicum is an essential and necessary component of this course. Students must achieve a grade of ‘B’ or above each semester.