TAKE YOUR ADVOCACY SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH JUST 12 ONE DAY CLASSES.

EVALUATIONS 2 – RELATED SERVICES  

Mastering Evaluations: A Comprehensive Guide for Education Advocates

CLASS NUMBER:      500- ERS

DURATION:                18.17 hours

Lecture 7.17 hours in 29 videos with out of class assignments of 11.00 hours 
Academic institutions may accept 1.81 quarter credit hours or a no-credit / non-certification grade per course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This comprehensive course equips education advocates with the essential skills to navigate the complex world of educational evaluations and leverage assessment data to secure the appropriate services and support for students with disabilities. Through in-depth exploration of various assessment types, including cognitive, academic, and functional evaluations, participants will gain the expertise to interpret results, collaborate with IEP teams, and advocate for comprehensive, student-centered assessments. Unlock your advocacy potential and transform the educational trajectories of the students you serve.

SUMMARY

Comprehensive training for education advocates to master the evaluation process, interpret assessment data, and leverage evaluations to secure tailored educational services and support for students with disabilities. Empower your advocacy and unlock your students' full potential.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

This course is a game-changer for education advocates, providing the critical knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the complex world of educational evaluations. By mastering the interpretation of assessment data, advocates can effectively communicate the strengths and needs of their students to IEP teams, ensuring that educational plans are truly aligned with the students' unique requirements.

Equipped with the skills to advocate for comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations, advocates can break down the barriers that often prevent students from receiving the appropriate services and support. This course empowers advocates to be strategic, informed, and relentless in their pursuit of educational justice for the students they represent.

Ultimately, this course is essential for advocates who want to maximize their impact and make a lasting difference in the lives of the students and families they serve. By elevating their evaluation expertise, advocates can unlock new levels of effectiveness in their practice, transforming the educational trajectories of the individuals they advocate for.

RELATED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Physical Therapy in the Educational Setting

Occupational Therapy in the Educational Setting

Functional Vision Review

OT Services and Visual Impairment

CVI, Common Ocular Defects & Vision Impairments

Bridging the Gap from Visual Processing to use of Language

Functional Vision Areas of Need

Metalinguistic Awareness & Metacognition Abilities

Social Cognition

HOW THIS COURSE BENEFITS EDUCATION ADVOCATES

Comprehensive Evaluation Expertise:

• Mastery of the different types of academic, cognitive, and functional assessments used in educational settings.
• Ability to critically evaluate the appropriateness and thoroughness of evaluations conducted on students.

Skilled Interpretation of Assessment Data:

• Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting comprehensive evaluation results to identify patterns, strengths, and areas of need.
• Capacity to effectively communicate assessment findings to IEP teams in a clear, actionable manner.

Aligned IEP Development:

• Capability to directly link evaluation data to the creation of individualized, evidence-based IEP goals and service recommendations.
• Confidence in advocating for educational plans that fully address the student's unique needs as identified through comprehensive assessments.

Collaborative Advocacy:

• Enhanced communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with IEP teams, educators, and related service providers.
• Ability to facilitate productive discussions and present evaluation data persuasively to secure appropriate services and support.

Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment:

• Skills to monitor student progress within the IEP and advocate for timely re-evaluations and IEP revisions as needed.
• Capacity to identify and challenge inappropriate evaluation procedures to drive systemic improvements.

SPECIFIC SKILLS & STRATEGIES PROVIDED BY THE COURSE

SKILL 1. Interpreting Evaluation Data:

STRAGETIES

• Techniques for thoroughly analyzing and interpreting comprehensive assessment results, including standardized test scores, observations, and other diagnostic measures.
• Methods for identifying patterns, strengths, and areas of need in the student's academic, cognitive, and functional performance.
• Strategies for translating technical evaluation language into clear, concise, and easily understandable information for IEP team members.

SKILL 2.   Linking Evaluations to IEP Goals and Services:

STRATEGIES

• Skills for directly aligning evaluation findings to the development of individualized, evidence-based IEP goals and service recommendations.
• Strategies for ensuring that the IEP fully addresses the student's unique needs as identified through the comprehensive assessment process.
• Techniques for advocating for appropriate accommodations, modifications, and related services based on the student's evaluation results.

SKILL 3. Collaborative IEP Team Participation:

STRATEGIES

• Communication strategies for effectively collaborating with IEP team members, including educators, administrators, and related service providers.
• Skills for facilitating productive discussions and presenting evaluation data in a persuasive and solution-oriented manner.
• Techniques for building consensus and negotiating for the necessary services and supports to meet the student's needs.

SKILL 4. Progress Monitoring and Re-evaluation:

STRATEGIES

• Strategies for closely monitoring student progress within the IEP and advocating for timely re-evaluations as needed.
• Methods for identifying and challenging inappropriate or insufficient evaluation procedures to drive systemic improvements.
• Techniques for using ongoing assessment data to advocate for IEP revisions and adjustments to ensure the continued appropriateness of the educational plan.

SKILL 5. Ethical and Effective Advocacy:

STRATEGIES

• Guidance on maintaining professional and ethical standards in the advocacy process, including managing conflicts of interest and respecting confidentiality.
•  for building productive relationships with IEP team members and fostering a collaborative, problem-solving approach to educational planning.
• Techniques for effectively documenting the advocacy process and creating a strong paper trail to support the student's needs.

By mastering these skills and strategies, education advocates will be empowered to navigate the IEP process with confidence, ensure that their students receive the comprehensive evaluations they require, and advocate for educational plans that are truly tailored to unlock their students' full potential.

CLASS OUTLINE:
Functional Vision
Speech & language
Common tests for speech and language
Evaluation Data
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Tests
Sensory Integration
Signs of sensory integration disorder (SID) :
Functional Assessments
Ecological Inventory and Discrepancy Analysis
Transition
Nursing Services
Audiology
Auditory Processing
5 basic Subtypes of APD

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
After completing the program, participants will:
•    Understand evaluation components for functional vision
•    Understand evaluation components for speech and language and physical therapy
•    Understand evaluation components for occupational therapy and Sensory Integration
•    Understand and identify functional assessments
•    Understand components of an audiological and an auditory processing evaluation

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