This session will delve into the critical factors beyond language proficiency that must be considered during the special education evaluation process of bilingual learners. This session will explore the complexities of evaluating students with different linguistic backgrounds, focusing on tools and strategies for conducting comprehensive and fair evaluations for bilingual learners. This session will cover the common communication measures in other languages, the evaluation process, best practices and strategies for for assessing bilingual learners, and interpretation of test results. Components of bilingual Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) reports and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), as well as sample statements to facilitate FIE report and IEP development for bilingual learners will be reviewed.
This session aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to ensure that bilingual learners receive the support they need to succeed. We will discuss:
-Planning and completing bilingual assessment
-Best practices for utilizing standardized and non-standardized assessment tools and strategies for assessing bilingual students
-Strategies for gathering comprehensive data from multiple sources, including parents and interpreters.
-Documenting and interpreting assessment results in a culturally sensitive manner.
-Considerations when determining language(s) of assessment and service delivery
-FIE report writing including impact of disability statements and sample statements
-Writing culturally and linguistically responsive IEPs
This program will be submitted for approval of 3.0 clock hours of continuing education credit by the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (TSHA). TSHA approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.