Essay

__ESSAY (2 paragraphs for each) __ 1. Why is there a need for different types of assessment? What problems would arise if only formal tests or informal measures were available? The importantance fordifferent assessment they are ongoing process it helps with each phase of the students with disabilities. teachers gather information then identification and referral,then to determinated of eligibility plan a program for that child,then to implementate and evaluation .these kind of programs are to insure that students with disabilities receive and continue as long as the child need and required. The problems that could arise if only formal tests or informal measures are available Both phases of assessment are considere more useful information but formal assessment are structured and there are specific guidelines like scoring and interpretation of the results. The most common is standardized testrs which is refered to as norm referenced test. these test are designed for groups and academic subjects and intellectural performance the results of these test are standard scores and what percentile ranks.

Informal assessments are used to determine current levels and it also document the student progress.Informal procedures are less structured teachers might give a test that the students have study for the week. Informal measures are designed by the teacher not by commercial publication. There are nt guild line for informal assessments. Informal assements does not mean that it is appropriate for allstudents with disabilities, it can at times have a barrier for students in a group to take a test, these tests can be timed or it may required reading and writing skills. In that case formal measures are needed. 

2. Explain why it is important that educational decisions about students with disabilities are made by teams, rather than by a single individual.  A team approach brings different perspectives and there expertise to make decision. A team is make up parents special education psychology speech and language disorders medicine. A student with sever diabilities will require a larger team. A team decision take into consideration serveral area. Although certain team members have major responsibility for assessment in certain area, and other team member does privide additional information

3. IDEA 2004 requires that teams take into consideration the student's involvement with (and progress in) the general education curriculum. What are the implications of this requirement for general education teachers? Are they likely to become more involved in planning programs for students with disabilities?  General and special education tjeachers who are directly involved with the student are necessay team membbers. Teachers can and do provide information on all development .General education teachers have information about students with their social skill and how they get along with peers. Teachers are more invilved in helping plan the programs for with students that have disabilities.  4. Although federal special education laws require that assessment procedures be nonbiased, bias does happen. What are some of the reasons for bias, and what can be done to improve current practices ?  There are several assessments with personal biases,students characteristics student evaluation and teacher attitudes towards students. Several lines of social research that indicate possible biases in assessments of written work, with prior knowledge and evidence of biases from all areasl.A opposed assessmentsis reuired.

5. Why is it important to plan educational programs based on individual student profiles rather than based on diagnosed conditions such as mental retardation or autism?