InTASC Standard #6
Assessment
The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making (InTASC, 2013).
Rationale:
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​Brief Description of Evidence: In the Spring of 2023, in SPED 230-Informal and Formal Assessments in Special Education, I created an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a fictional student. The purpose of this IEP was to have a better understanding of what information is included in an IEP and allowed me to have practice on goal writing. The IEP outlines all the requirements that should be implemented within a legal binding Individualized Education Program created specifically for said fictional student. The fictional student had academic and behavioral concerns that were being addressed within the IEP.
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Artifact:
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Reflection:
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Analysis of What I Learned: Developing an IEP in this particular format gave me a better idea of what is required within an IEP. This template is not the specific template that is used within the education system, but it is a great way to break down the required elements of an IEP. After creating this IEP for a fictional student, I learned what components are required and necessary within an IEP and how to develop each section of the IEP. This IEP gave me a better understanding of how important data collection and assessments are to creating an IEP. The more data and information that you have on a student, makes writing an IEP easier, because there is more information on the student’s present academic and behavioral needs. The IEP also taught me that informal and formal assessments are essential for writing a well developed IEP. When administering an informal or formal assessment to students I am able to determine whether or not the accommodations and or modifications are appropriate for the student, if the student is improving or if the accommodations and modifications need to be reevaluated. If I did not assess the student I would not have any data to support my reason for providing accommodations and modifications to the student.
How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the InTASC Standard: By completing this IEP, I was able to work towards my competency of InTASC Standard 6 Assessment, because I was able to grow my knowledge and understanding of using informal and formal assessments to acquire necessary information to develop an IEP. Within this artifact, I have examples of different types of assessments used to develop the IEP as well as how goals will be monitored and assessed in order to determine the student’s progress. This experience for me personally relates to Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset Theory. Dr. Dweck believes that, “When students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement” (Mindset, 2023). I believe the more time and effort I put into learning about assessments and applying different strategies to create an effective IEP, I will become a stronger educator. For this assignment I had to evaluate the most effective strategies and continue to assess the progress of the fictional student in order for the student to grow and be more successful in an inclusive learning environment. I took time to consider which assessments would evaluate the student’s progress most efficiently and effectively. In order to implement the modification and accommodations for this student, I needed to perform informal and formal assessments. Without the data from these assessments, I would not have been able to determine which modifications and accommodations work best for this particular student or if the student was making progress towards their goals.
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Resources
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Council of Chief State School Officers. (2013, April). Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards and Learning Progressions for Teachers 1.0: A Resource for Ongoing Teacher Development. Washington, DC: Author.
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Decades of scientific research that started a growth Mindset Revolution. The Growth Mindset - What is Growth Mindset - Mindset Works. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2023, from https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/#:~:text=Dweck%20coined%20the%20terms%20fixed,that%20leads%20to%20higher%20achievement .
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