This article examines some problems associated with assessing students with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) for special education eligibility. Major issues include over-identification of students as EBD and the continuing overrepresentation of students of minority ethnicity. Movement away from the traditional norm-referenced approach to…

This article discusses the process of assessing social skills with students who have emotional and/or behavioral disorders. It describes a three-stage problem-solving model of problem identification, problem analysis, and treatment evaluation. Specific social skills assessment strategies are described and linked to a classification system of…

This article proposes the use of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) to evaluate the effectiveness of the academic and behavioral programming for students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. It suggests that CBM data may reveal features of effective instructional practices and that CBM may be particularly effective in addressing problems in…

Using interviews and classroom observations, this study examined one teacher's modification of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) of oral reading skills in her fourth grade general education classroom. The teacher made use of both qualitative and quantitative information. Three key elements in this teacher's CBM practice are highlighted:…

This article describes development of a computer-based alternate assessment system, designed for students with moderate disabilities, which integrates what is known about effective feedback in classroom assessment with requirements for system accountability. The system includes customized computer software and documentation tools that are used to…

This study analyzed the factor structure of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests Revised (WRMT-R), a test battery used to measure basic reading skills. Findings indicated that both forms of the WRMT-R contain a large unrotated general factor and, when rotated obliquely, two correlated factors representing basic skills and reading comprehension.…

Four independent samples of children were used to study the reliability and validity of the Writing Essential Skill Screener, a measure designed to screen primary grade children at risk for writing difficulties. Among findings was that the measure is comprised of two dimensions, writing and name writing, that the factor structure did not fit the…

This article profiles the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP), an assessment designed to detect phonological processing deficits in students ages 5 through 24. The theoretical framework of the CTOPP, age-based versions of the CTOPP, subtests, testing procedures, test scores and interpretation, and reliability and validity are…

This article presents the career/vocational assessment process as a critical component of transition planning for students with disabilities. It provides an overview of career/vocational assessment, methods of gathering assessment information, issues to consider, people involved in the assessment process, and recommendations for career/vocational…

This article addresses various methods of assessment and support of social competence in school and the community to prepare individuals with mild to moderate disabilities for adulthood. It emphasizes that transition planning and preparation is a continual process that begins in early school experiences and continues through adulthood. (Contains…

Self-determination is an important component of transition services and prompting this outcome requires that educators use assessment both to design instruction and provide information about instructional effectiveness. This article introduces self-determination as a critical transition outcome, examines assessment issues, and overviews practices,…

This article provides an overview of policymaking in relation to state and local district testing and accountability and concludes by identifying continuing policy issues and strategies for local implementation of standards-based secondary education that aligns with current testing and accountability policies. Governance models for curriculum…