Testing gives us important information about where your child stands compared to grade-level expectations.
Teachers may not always have the background knowledge to fully evaluate a child’s progress across all areas, including academics, functional skills, and social skills. They might not see the full scope of what a child needs without the help of valid assessment tools. These tools are designed to provide a thorough and objective picture of a child’s abilities and challenges, which is essential for identifying critical skills and creating effective educational goals. Without these assessments, it can be difficult for an ARD committee to fully understand and address all aspects of a child’s educational development.
Types of Assessments
- Norm-Referenced Assessments: These tests compare your child’s performance to that of other children their age or grade. They help us see if your child is keeping up with peers or if they might need extra support in certain areas.
- Criterion-Referenced Assessments: These tests measure how well your child meets specific learning goals or standards. They show whether your child has mastered certain skills or concepts.
- District Assessments: Conducted by the school district, these tests align with state standards and help us understand how your child is doing within the district’s curriculum. They can highlight areas where your child might need additional help.
Why a Comprehensive Approach is Important
Using a variety of assessments gives us a more complete picture of your child’s abilities. This helps us understand learning gaps, skill development, and expected behaviors more accurately. A mix of testing and teacher observations ensures the PLAAFP reflects all aspects of your child’s performance, leading to better educational goals and support.
Differentiating Assessment Data and FIE Testing Information
Assessment Data Across School Years: This includes regular tests, quizzes, and observations from teachers over the school year. Classroom assessments can also include AIMSweb, VB-MAPP, or ABLLS-r; tools that track progress and provide other insights into academic and functional performance. These assessments show how your child is doing in their daily classes and helps track their progress and areas where they might need more help.
Full Individual Evaluation (FIE): An FIE is a thorough assessment done at a specific time. It looks at your child’s overall abilities, including their thinking, learning, and daily skills. This detailed evaluation helps identify specific needs and creates a clear picture of what support your child might need.
Using Both in the PLAAFP: Including both types of data in the PLAAFP gives a complete view of your child’s abilities. Assessment data shows their progress over time, while the FIE provides a detailed understanding of their specific needs. Together, they help build a well-rounded and effective IEP.
If you review a PLAAFP and don’t see any testing data, you should ask the school for more information. Testing data is important because it shows your child’s strengths and challenges. If testing results are missing, it might mean that the school hasn’t fully evaluated your child’s needs. This is a big concern because without this data, it’s hard to set the right goals and support your child effectively. Make sure to ask the school for the test results or an explanation if they’re not included.
Additional Points to Consider
- Integration of Data: Combining data from different assessments (tests, observations, district assessments) helps create a well-rounded view of your child’s needs. This integration makes it easier to set realistic goals in the IEP.
- Limitations of Testing: Remember, while testing provides useful information, it doesn’t tell us everything. It’s important to use test results along with other data to get a complete understanding of your child’s abilities.
- Collaborative Approach: Teachers, parents, and specialists should work together to interpret testing results. This teamwork ensures all viewpoints are considered and provides a clearer picture of your child’s needs.
- Updates and Monitoring: Testing shouldn’t be a one-time event. Regular assessments track your child’s progress and help adjust their educational plan as needed. This ongoing process keeps the IEP relevant and effective.
- Parental Involvement: Your insights are valuable. Being involved in understanding and discussing test results can provide important context and support the overall assessment process.
More from the PLAAFP guide:
What is the PLAAFP?: Discover how the PLAAFP summarizes your child’s current abilities and needs based on assessments and observations.
Data in the PLAAFP: Explore the various ways data is gathered, from teacher observations to parent input, and how it supports the PLAAFP.
Translating Data into Action: Understand how raw test scores and data points are transformed into actionable goals and interventions in the PLAAFP.
Review for Quality: Tips on how to review and question the data to ensure it truly reflects your child’s needs and abilities.
