This is your third group of benchmark assessments from the following courses: SPE 536, SPE 557, SPE 558, SPE 553, and SPE 573.

For each course, upload the benchmark assessment. Introduce the assignment by using TEXT to type a RATIONALE of how the assignment meets the selected standards. Be sure to use STANDARDS and select from the specified standards that apply to the assignment you have attached. Then, submit each benchmark assignment for evaluation.  Send your instructor an email URL notification.

Test the Rest (Benchmark Assignment)

1. General practicum information:
   1. Students’ practicum experiences should follow the practicum experience requirements.
   2. Students should complete the practicum placement and observation log forms, found in the practicum manual. Complete the forms with the names of the professionals, schools, or companies the professionals are affiliated with and document the hours spent  collaborating with the professionals as well as the time you spent conducting research. Submit the forms to the course instructor along with your Benchmark Assessment.
   3. Spend 20 hours in the practicum experience for this course, that includes:
      1. Classroom observations of students with disabilities
      2. Observing or meeting with two certified professionals (one for each case study) that have experience evaluating students for potential or continuing placement in special education.  
   4. Identify two certified professionals (one for each case study) that have experience evaluating students for potential or continuing placement in special education.  These professionals may include a school psychologist, special education director, special education teacher, or a psychologist that works for an outside organization that supports individuals with special needs. 
   5. With the help of the professionals identify two students’ files to review for this assignment:
      1. One student in early childhood special education; and
      2. One secondary student where a transition meeting has occurred
   6. Obtain parental permission, in writing, that it is permissible for you to review the student’s psycho-evaluation report and file with a professional.
2. Benchmark Assessment
   1. Write two 1,000-1,250 -word case studies, one on each of the two students selected for this assignment, a student in early childhood special education and a secondary student who has been involved in the transition planning and/or process, Do not use the student’s name in the case study. Follow the directions provided below for each student:
      1. Case Study 1: Student in Early Childhood Special Education
         1. After obtaining parental  review a psycho-evaluation reportof a student with a disability, and answer the following questions in your case study:
            1. Which assessment(s) were given?
            2. What was the purpose of these assessments?
            3. What are the reliability and validity percentages of these assessments?
            4. How do the results of the assessments determine/influence instructional practice?
            5. What are some of the protocol rules you discussed with the professional as well as researched(e.g., Can the assessor offer cues? Is the assessment timed?).
         2. Do not submit a copy of the student’s psycho-educational report with your final assignment.
            1. Which scores were purported in this report?
            2. What type of background information was used in this report (e.g., developmental history, significant historical events that impacted the ability to develop/learn)?
            3. What accommodations/modifications were proposed for teachers?
            4. What other information was important/informative in this report in terms of instructional, behavior, and/or social implications?
         3. Use standard essay format in APA style, including an introduction, conclusion, and title page. An abstract is not required. Cite in-text and in the References section.
      2. Case Study 2: Student in the Process of Transitioning
         1. After obtaining permission from the student’s parent(sto review an IEP that includes information on transition AND the student’s most recent psychoevaluation report,answer the following questions in your case study:
            1. Which assessment(s) were given?
            2. What was the purpose of these assessments?
            3. What are the reliability and validity percentages of these assessments?
            4. How do the results of the assessments determine/influence decisions with regard to transition?
            5. What are some of the protocol rules you discussed with the professional as well as researched (e.g., Can the assessor offer cues? Is the assessment timed?).
            6. Who attended the transition IEP meeting?

NOTE:  Be sure you include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment.  

Teaching the Student with Intellectual Disability: (Benchmark Assessment)

1. During your observations, observe at least one ELA lesson, one mathematics lesson, and one social skills/adaptive/functional skills lesson.
2. Obtain a lesson plan from the teacher for one of these specific lessons.
3. Evaluate this lesson plan based upon the students’ needs, strengths, IEP goals, and functional level. Consider the standards this lesson addresses as well. Review the teaching strategies, objectives, differentiation/accommodations/modifications, assessment, and efficacy of the lesson plan based upon outside research and your observations.
4. Write a 1,500-1,750-word essay that describes your observations and reactions, using your text, notes from lectures, and outside research.  Include your recommendations for how you would change the lesson, what worked in the lesson, and what did not. Discuss how the lesson helps prepare the student for post-secondary success as an adult (even if the student is an elementary level student, as this is an important consideration in all teaching for students with ID beginning at an early age). If you found the lesson to be irrelevant or not applicable to the students’ needs, then explain what the lesson could have been or should have been to better support the students’ academic and social needs. Discuss the setting, the students, their functional level, and the specific setting (academic subject) in which the lesson took place. Upload the lesson plan, as well as the other field experience forms to LoudCloud and Taskstream.  
5. Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.

NOTE:  Be sure you include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment. 

Learning Disability Observation Report and Brochure/Handout

1. Write a report (1,250–1,500 words) on your classroom observation that includes a vivid picture of the classrooms and the interactions of the students and teachers. The report is to include the following information:
2. A summary of your observations. Describe the classroom arrangement (including physical and academic elements), number of students, lesson topics, etc. Also, describe the duration and times of your observations.
3. A description of the instructional strategies (especially any research-based strategies) you observed. Describe the instruction and feedback routines, how the teacher interacted with students and the environment, what expectations the teacher had and how they were communicated, steps the teacher took to help motivate students, and how the students interacted and communicated in the class. Describe why this environment and these teaching strategies are more effective for students with SLD. Use current research to support this. Mention any specialized curriculum used.
4. A description of the classroom management strategies you observed. Describe the classroom routines that were in place, the behavior management system and class rules the teacher used, and how the teacher used these along with the classroom arrangement to help manage the students.
5. An evaluation of what you observed. Include what worked and what did not, as well as suggestions for what you might do differently in your own classroom. Incorporate evidence-based research to support your decisions.
6. Write a brochure/handout for a parent whose child may be entering this particular classroom. In the handout/brochure, be sure to include the curriculum (if a specialty curriculum is used), instructional strategies, classroom management strategies, and classroom routines that would make the entering SLD student successful in this particular classroom. Be sure to explain how this classroom supports the individual with SLD in a way that the student would not be supported in a different classroom. Also mention the specific children this classroom is best suited for and offer a success story from the classroom (ask your cooperating teacher for help with this).
7. While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. A minimum of three outside references is required. If you use your mentor teacher as a reference, please cite this teacher using the APA personal communications citation in the body of the text only, as personal communications are not cited on the references page.

NOTE:  Be sure you include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment.  

Benchmark Assessment: eMOTION

i)        Make a 3-column chart with the following titles:  Observation, Reflection, and Recommendation. Using your notes from your practicum experience, complete the columns according to the following:

(1)   In the Observation column, write that which you observed in terms of instructional practice, behavior interventions and modifications, and systems. Be thorough and complete in your observations.

(2)   In the Reflection column, write your reflection in terms of whether or not you believe this instruction, behavior, or system to be effective. Do this for each observation you make. Support your opinion with information you have gained from this course (lecture, text, discussion, etc.).

(3)   In the Recommendation column, discuss what you would recommend in terms of improving that which you observed (be specific). Use the course lectures, readings, and discussion forum to inform this recommendation.

ii)      APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

NOTE:  Be sure you include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment. 

Benchmark Assessment:

Part 1: Planning

1. Write three learning objectives (reading, writing, and math) that are aligned with the Common Core ELA and math standards. Develop three separate learning activities (one reading activity, one writing activity, and one math activity) to teach one student from one of the three settings with a physical or health impairment. Discuss how these activities align to the Common Core ELA and math standards.
2. Research evidenced-based teaching strategies and accommodations frequently used with students who have physical disabilities and health impairments.
3. Develop a scoring tool or assessment to determine the effectiveness of each of your lessons.
4. Select and describe appropriate accommodations to meet an individual student’s needs.

Part 2: Implementation

5. Implement the lessons and complete the data collection required to document the student’s performance.

Part 3: Reflection

6. Write a 750-1000 word reflection essay that describes the following:

1. Provide a detailed description of your selected student (grade, gender, age). Include information about the student’s present level of academic and functional performance.
2. Discuss your rationale for selecting the teaching strategies and accommodations you chose to use with your student.
3. Discuss the outcomes of your lessons.  Did the student meet your learning objectives? Provide a detailed summary of your data and assessment.
4. Reflect on the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of your lessons. What strategies and accommodations were successful?  What would you do differently?
5. Discuss the next steps to take with this student. Will you need to reteach the concept?  Does the student require more practice? Is the student ready to move on to another concept?

NOTE:  Be sure you include the Rationale and Standards that apply to this assignment.