what test are given to students who are catorgorized as special education students to determine?

Question

trying to find out what test are administered to special education students to determine if special education classes is needed.

Answer 1

The testing differs from school district to school district. However, a licensed school psychologist and special education teacher administer the testing. Often, the student is evaluated in both reading, mathematics, and an IQ (intelligence test) on an individual basis. Sometimes, there will be an observation of the student within the classroom setting by a professional to see what additional services or documents is needed. The reading and mathematics testing is to see at what grade levels the student is functioning on. The overall testing is to see where the student is functioning on grade level or a significant discrepency between grade level and functioning level.

Answer 2

The usual tests include a full educational evaluation as well as a developmental screening done by a child psychologist. Other tests that are often included are standard IQ tests, fine and gross motor evaluations, speech assesments and assesment of self help skills. Often times, testing is paired with observations of the child in a classroom or playgroup setting, home visits and evaluations provided by the child's teacher, child care provider, peditrician and any other specialists the child may have regular contact with. Parents are also given an extensive profile to fill out.

In the end, it is important to remember that a simply diagnosis of a disapbility, physical, developmental and otherwise, by your child's medical provider does not gaurantee a child will recieve benefits from the school as a special ed student. There is a formula used to asses test results, observation and profile inputs to determine if the child's needs are severe enough to qualify. Once the child is found eligable, he or whe will be totally re-evaluated every three years (unless an early re-evaluation is requested by parents or the school). All of this does take time, but the school system is limited by federal law on how long they may take. To any parent beginning the process, get a copy of your parent rights. Read it, ask questions if you don't understand and never sign anything you don't agree with or aren't sure about. There are plenty of parent advocates around to help, as well as tons of parents who have simply "been there, done that" who can help throughout the process.