Testing for Intelligence?
Over the
years, I have learned that there not one diagnostic assessment that assesses
the whole child – academic, intelligence, social, emotional, motor skills, et.
al. In special education, it is important
to assess the child to not only identify the child’s disability but identify
what supports the child will need to be successful in school. There has been a gradual shift to using play-base
assessments like the Transdisciplinary Play-Based Assessment (TPBA-2). As a
teacher, I used a variety of assessments to identify the child’s strengths and
weakness so that I can better serve him/her. There has been a shift from focusing
on what children can’t do to what they can do.
“Such positive approaches to assessment are thought to be helpful in
viewing the child as an individual with unique characteristics and abilities
rather than disabilities” (Bowers, 2007).
In
Ireland, “the formal educational assessment of school-going children is
generally carried out by NEPS, National Educational Psychological Service. Other assessments, such as Speech and Language
or Occupational Therapy are carried out under community services at local
health
offices” (NCSE, 2014).
References:
Bowers, S.
(2007). Assessing Young Children: What’s
Old, What’s New, and Where Are We Headed? Retrieved June 16, 2018 from http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=210
National
Council for Special Education. (2014). Children
with Special Educational Needs: Information Booklet for Parents. Retrieved June
16, 2018 from http://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ChildrenWithSpecialEdNeeds1.pdf
Great blog. I really enjoyed reading your blog this week. I agree there is no one assessment that can be used to evaluate the "whole child". As we prepare students to succeed in the real world, not just to do better on their tests next year than they did this year, we must bring a whole child approach to how we view our students. This approach would ensure the child is healthy, safe, supported, engaged, and challenged.
ReplyDeleteYolanda Taylor
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog post. It is encouraging to know that assessments are used now to assess the child holistically. This is important in Special Education because the child's strengths and weaknesses are identified. The child can then receive the right intervention and support, and a child can be successful with proper support.
Donna, by cooperating with children in the formation of classroom rules, in conflict resolution, and in other classroom decisions and activities, the adult teacher can provide emotional approval and acceptance to children while also allowing children to act autonomously, to take an active role in learning from mistakes, conflicts, and choosing responsible and ethical action. Engaging students in discussion around interpersonal conflicts or ethical concepts can help children to develop a 'critical moral perspective,' one that enables them to evaluate social norms, personal conduct, and ethical motivations in their own lives.
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteYour blog inspires me to reach up high and continue to strive to do the best I can for the children that I provide care for.
If I was not a child care provider reading your post would make me want to become one, your blog was AWESOME
Great information on the different diagnostic assessments that can be used to assess the whole child. If many of these assessments are being used for the appropriate situation and are not biased form then, they will be excellent tools to help children become successful learners.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna, I enjoyed attending this education class with you. I have learned a lot of information about child development by reading your blog posts. I hope that we continue to learn more about the early childhood field.
ReplyDelete