In this session, participants will explore best practices for conducting special education evaluations with emergent bilingual learners, ensuring that evaluations are both fair and comprehensive. We will examine the unique challenges that arise when assessing students who speak multiple languages, including language proficiency, cultural considerations, and the potential for misidentification.
Key topics will include:
- Understanding the intersection of language acquisition and disability
- Strategies for gathering accurate and reliable data on emergent bilingual learners
- Using culturally responsive assessment tools and methods
- Collaborating with language specialists and families to ensure a holistic understanding of the student’s needs
- Addressing potential biases in the evaluation process
- Navigating legal and ethical considerations related to language access and fair assessment
By the end of the session, participants will gain practical tools and insights to improve the evaluation process, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed in school. This session is ideal for educators, speech-language pathologists, diagnosticians, school psychologists, and other professionals involved in the evaluation and support of emergent bilingual learners.
This session is free to members of the Special Education Cooperative.