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Leading Student Assessment pp 133–150Cite as

Current Issues in Assessing Students with Special Needs

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Part of the book series: Studies in Educational Leadership ((SIEL,volume 15))

Abstract

This chapter investigates critical issues and promising trends associated with the processes and procedures for assessing students with special needs. The chapter covers issues associated with formal standardized testing, informal classroom assessment, and accommodations in testing. The future trends considered include universal screening and universal progress monitoring. These assessment procedures rely on curriculum-based measurement techniques which provide high-fidelity data that facilitates early intervention. The chapter begins by defining key issues and presenting a conceptual framework. The framework is based on the steps in the assessment process including screening, identifying, intervening, and measuring progress. A detailed investigation of the issues follows the conceptual framework. Specific issues discussed include fairness in testing, accountability, barriers faced by practitioners, and selecting appropriate accommodations. The chapter ends with a discussion of the responsibilities and challenges faced by practitioners, policy makers, and researchers in responding to the significant issues in assessing students with special needs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Education and Human Services, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA

    John Venn

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  1. John Venn
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Correspondence to John Venn .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Faculty of Human, Social and Educational, Thompson Rivers University, McGill Road 900, Kamloops, V2C 5N3, British Columbia, Canada

    Charles F. Webber

  2. , Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2G5, Alberta, Canada

    Judy L. Lupart

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Venn, J. (2011). Current Issues in Assessing Students with Special Needs. In: Webber, C., Lupart, J. (eds) Leading Student Assessment. Studies in Educational Leadership, vol 15. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1727-5_7

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