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Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 5/E
Terry Overton, University of Texas - Brownsville

ISBN-10: 013117990X
ISBN-13:  9780131179905

Publisher:  Merrill
Copyright:  2006
Format:  Paper; 480 pp
Published:  04/20/2005


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For undergraduate and graduate courses in Assessment of Special Education.

The primary focus and goal of Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 5th edition by Terry Overton is to provide undergraduate students with a practical, applied approach for learning about the complex procedures of the assessment process.  To achieve this goal, the author integrates cases throughout the text to facilitate reader comprehension of difficult concepts.  In addition, the author presents these concepts in a step-by-step manner and then creates opportunities for students to check their understanding of these concepts through practice exercises. Furthermore, readers will have portions of assessment instruments, and scoring tables as part of their exercise practice.  The fifth edition maintains its excellency with added discussion of the  latest information on the reauthorization of IDEA, NCLB, and the most recent regulations and how these affect assessment, throroughly updated discussion of all pertinent tests now available, increased diversity coverage, more applications and activities, and an enhanced support package developed exclusively for the text by the author.


Features

  • NEW! A contemporary assessment model — Focuses on interventions and informal assessment with the general education environment and serves as a “first-step” in the assessment process.

 

  • NEW! Increased consideration of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the assessment process — Includes diversity-specific applications, exercises, and case studies, as well as a thorough review of relevant literature.
      • Impresses upon future educators the extraordinary diversity in today’s special education classrooms — it’s not just about physical limitations anymore! 

 

  • NEW! Increased number of case studies in each chapter -- Integratedthroughout the text to facilitate better reader comprehension and application of difficult concepts.

 

  • NEW! Web-based application activities — Available on the companion website, students are afforded an even greater opportunity to practice assessment skills and test their knowledge base.

 

  • NEW! More emphasis on Curriculum-Based Assessment and other methods of informal academic assessment revised and expanded in the fifth edition.

 

  • NEW! Includes updated information on the reauthorization of IDEA 2004 and how the new law affects the assessment process–Readers will learn the most current information available regarding laws and policies and current trends in the reauthorization movement, and the changes within the assessment process according to the new mandate.

 

  • New! In-depth Companion Website, a robust site with a wealth of resources for both student and instructor (http://www.prenhall.com/overton) — The newly expanded site is now integrated and connected to the fifth edition text. 
      • “Check Your Understanding” margin notes direct readers to the web-based, applied activities for students to practice assessment skills and test their knowledge base.
      • Students gain further knowledge and practice with online chapter reviews, resources for assessment, Web links, additional activities, case studies, and interactive self-assessments.

 

  • NEW! Part of the Merrill Teacher Prep Textbook Series.  Your students' textbook is now the ultimate resource for applying learned strategies to classroom practice.  "Things to Take Into Your Classroom" featured on the front and back cover lists and gives page references for the book's strategies, plans, activities, lessons, and other resourceful materials for students to use in the classroom--making this text not just a book for learning, but a book for teaching.

 

  • Functional behavior assessment coverage–Includes narrative material and targeted application exercises.
      • Prepares students for public school system expectations. Teachers are now required to complete such assessments for all children with behavioral difficulties.

 

  • Expanded coverage of legal requirements for educational/behavioral planning–Includes case studies based on writing legally-accurate educational objectives.
      • Teaches students exactly how to write thoughtful, implementable objectives that meet all legal guidelines.

 

  • Introduction of phonemic awareness assessment–Includes a case study specific to the topic.
      • Helps students to understand this highly-specialized assessment by, essentially, seeing it done.

 

  • Thorough treatment of transition planning.
      • Enables students to relate legal requirements to actual IEP objectives for post-secondary transitions.

 

  • Discussion of high-stakes testing–Examines group testing and high-stakes assessment, accommodations in such testing, alternatives, and mitigating issues.
      • Offers a thorough examination of this controversial testing to prepare students to use it effectively and accurately.

 

  • Review of legal regulations and ethical standards–Relates 2004 IDEA Amendments, as well as CEC and NASP professional conduct standards directly to the assessment process.
      • Introduces students to the ideals and expectations of the profession.

 

  • Step-by-step introduction to measurement–Includes samples of both formal and informal assessment instruments, protocols, and scoring tables.
      • Familiarizes students with the tools of their trade and affords them hands-on practice in crucial measurement tasks well before they encounter their first pupils.

 

  • Applications Exercises in most chapters–Including exercises involving culturally and linguistically diverse students and exercises involving the most recent regulations.
      • Offers opportunities for students to apply text content to example subjects and situations.

 

  • Think Ahead sections in each chapter.
      • Focuses students' attention on key concepts in the next chapter while setting the stage for upcoming issues.

 

  • Chapter exercise Answer Keys, Key Terms, Chapter Focus, and Summary.
      • Allows students to check their work and assess their own learning as the course progresses.


New To This Edition

  • NEW! A contemporary assessment model — Focuses on interventions and informal assessment with the general education environment and serves as a “first-step” in the assessment process.
  • NEW! Increased consideration of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the assessment process — Includes diversity-specific applications, exercises, and case studies, as well as a thorough review of relevant literature.
      • Impresses upon future educators the extraordinary diversity in today’s special education classrooms — it’s not just about physical limitations anymore! 
  • NEW! Increased number of case studies in each chapter -- Integratedthroughout the text to facilitate better reader comprehension and application of difficult concepts.
  • NEW! Web-based application activities — Available on the companion website, students are afforded an even greater opportunity to practice assessment skills and test their knowledge base.
  • NEW! More emphasis on Curriculum-Based Assessment and other methods of informal academic assessment revised and expanded in the fifth edition.
  • NEW! Includes updated information on the reauthorization of IDEA 2004 and how the new law affects the assessment process–Readers will learn the most current information available regarding laws and policies and current trends in the reauthorization movement, and the changes within the assessment process according to the new mandate.
  • New! In-depth Companion Website, a robust site with a wealth of resources for both student and instructor (http://www.prenhall.com/overton) — The newly expanded site is now integrated and connected to the fifth edition text. 
      • “Check Your Understanding” margin notes direct readers to the web-based, applied activities for students to practice assessment skills and test their knowledge base.
      • Students gain further knowledge and practice with online chapter reviews, resources for assessment, Web links, additional activities, case studies, and interactive self-assessments.
  • NEW! Part of the Merrill Teacher Prep Textbook Series.  Your students' textbook is now the ultimate resource for applying learned strategies to classroom practice.  "Things to Take Into Your Classroom" featured on the front and back cover lists and gives page references for the book's strategies, plans, activities, lessons, and other resourceful materials for students to use in the classroom--making this text not just a book for learning, but a book for teaching.


Table of Contents

PART I: INTRODUCTION TO ASSESSMENT.

         1. An Introduction. 

         2. Laws, Ethics, and Issues.


PART II: TECHNICAL PREREQUISITES OF UNDERSTANDING ASSESSMENT.

 3. Descriptive Statistics.

 4. Reliability and Validity.

PART III: ASSESSING STUDENTS.

 5. Curriculum-Based Assessment and Other Informal Measures.
 
 6. Assessment of Behavior.

 7. An Introduction to Norm-Referenced Assessment.

 8. Academic Assessment.

 9. Measures of Intelligence and Adaptive Behavior.

10. Special Consideration of Assessment in Early Childhood and Transition.
 

PART IV: INTERPRETATION OF ASSESSMENT RESULTS.

11. Interpreting Assessment for Educational Intervention.
 
Appendix: Key to End-of-Chapter Exercises. 

Name Index.

Subject Index.


Next Edition(s)

  • Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 7/E
    Overton
    ©2012  |  Merrill  |  Paper; 504 pp  |  Instock
    ISBN-10: 0131367102  |  ISBN-13: 9780131367104
    Brief Description  |  More Info



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The primary focus and goal of Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 5th Edition by Terry Overton is to provide undergraduate students with a practical, applied approach for learning about the complex procedures of the assessment process. To achieve this goal, the author integrates cases throughout the text to facilitate reader comprehension of difficult concepts. In addition, the author presents these concepts in a step-by-step manner and then creates opportunities for students to check their understanding of these concepts through practice exercises.

 

New to Assessing Learner with Special Needs, Fifth Edition:

  • The most up-to-date information available regarding laws and policies and current trends in the reauthorization movement.
  • The integration of case studies in each chapter throughout the text to facilitate better reader comprehension and application of difficult concepts.
  • More emphasis on Curriculum-Based Assessment and other methods of informal academic assessment.
  • Thoroughly updated discussion of all pertinent revised tests now available.
  • New and in-depth Companion Website material is integrated and connected to each chapter. (http://www.prenhall.com/overton)

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Websites and Online Courses

Companion Website for Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 5/E
Overton
©2006  |  Merrill  |  Website  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0131179934  |  ISBN-13: 9780131179936
More Info

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Online Instructor's Manual, 5/E
Overton
©2006  |  Merrill  |  On-line Supplement  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0131729942  |  ISBN-13: 9780131729940

Show Downloadable Files
 | More Info

Online PowerPoint Slides, 5/E
Overton
©2006  |  Merrill  |  On-line Supplement  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0131960784  |  ISBN-13: 9780131960787

Show Downloadable Files
 | More Info

TestGen (download only) for Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 5/E
Overton
©2006  |  Merrill  |  On-line Supplement  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0131179918  |  ISBN-13: 9780131179912

Show Downloadable Files
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Companion Website for Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 5/E
Overton
©2006  |  Merrill  |  Website  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0131179934  |  ISBN-13: 9780131179936
More Info

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Websites and online courses

Companion Website for Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 5/E
Overton
©2006  |  Merrill  |  Website  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0131179934  |  ISBN-13: 9780131179936
More Info


Websites and Online Courses

Companion Website for Assessing Learners with Special Needs: An Applied Approach, 5/E
Overton
©2006  |  Merrill  |  Website  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0131179934  |  ISBN-13: 9780131179936
More Info

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