1 a continuum of evaluation services marnee loftin, ma school psychologist, tsbvi...
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A CONTINUUM OF EVALUATION SERVICES
Marnee Loftin, MA
School Psychologist, TSBVI
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GOALS
Participants will:
1. Identify commonly-used methods of supporting evaluation of students with VI by schools for the blind
2. Identify problems with current models
3. Identify different models that might be used to function more efficiently
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SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND HAVE A CRUCIAL ROLE IN
SUPPORTING EVALUATION OF STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
THROUGHOUT A STATE
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EXPERTISE IS LIMITED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTINGS
REGARDING LOW INCIDENCE POPULATIONS
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SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND UNDERSTAND THIS NEED AND SUPPORT IT IN SOME MANNER THROUGHOUT
THE NATION
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COMMON TYPES OF SUPPORT
• Providing support through in-service training programs
• Providing direct evaluation services for students with visual impairment
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INSERVICE MODEL OF SERVICE DELIVERY
• Focus is upon training local staff
• Training occurs through phone consultations as well as workshops
• Provides training to an estimated 250 people per year in Texas
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PROBLEMS WITH THIS INSERVICE MODEL
• Theoretical information without opportunities for clinical practice
• Fragmented information
• Limited opportunities for follow-up
• Minimal impact upon the IEP for an individual student
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EVALUATION MODEL OF SERVICE DELIVERY
• Focus is upon evaluation of individual student
• Training occurs either at the school for blind or local school
• Comprehensive information is provided for a small number of students
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PROBLEMS WITH THIS EVALUATION MODEL
• Limited staff and large numbers make output minimal
• Local staff receive little training
• Limited opportunities for follow-up
• Difficulty with prioritizing evaluations
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MANY OF THE SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND ARE
APPLYING A NEW MODEL OF CONTINUUM OF
SERVICES TO INSTRUCTIONAL
PROGRAMS
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A CONTINUUM OF EVALUATION SERVICES
OFFERS MANY POSSIBILITIES
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A CONTINUUM OF EVALUATION SERVICES
WOULD: • Offer increased opportunities to train
local personnel• Increase access to appropriate
evaluations for students with visual impairments
• Decrease waiting times for evaluations• Prioritize access to evaluations by
specialists in visual impairment
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CONTINUUM OF EVALUATION SERVICES
• General training in evaluation • Specialized training in determination of
additional eligibilities• General consultation about specific
selection of evaluation instruments• Consultation about specific student and
recommendation for instruments to be administered
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(Continued)
• Consultation with local staff about planning, administering and interpreting evaluations
• Direct evaluation of students attending school for the blind on a short-term basis
• Direct evaluation of student in their local school with participation of local staff
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MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES CAN
SUPPORT THIS CONTINUUM OF
EVALUATION SERVICES
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TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY
IMPAIRED HAS CONTINUED TO DEVELOP AND
SUPPORT A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES IN THESE
AREAS
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GENERAL TRAINING IN BEST PRACTICES
• Present workshops throughout the state designed to improve evaluation of the approximately 8,000 students with visual impairment in Texas
• Develop videotapes by different disciplines that focus on techniques used for evaluation of students
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GENERAL CONSULTATION(CONTINUED)
• Consult by telephone about a variety of evaluation issues
• Publish materials to assist with evaluation issues and specific questions
• Compile best practice guidelines for use on website
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SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITIES
• Provide three-day workshops in determining additional eligibilities
• Consult with adult service agencies regarding differential diagnosis
• Develop series of videotapes with case studies focusing upon diagnosis of additional eligibilities
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ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITIES (CONTINUED)
• Maintain series of FAQs on the TSBVI regarding determination of additional eligibilities
• Present sessions at professional conferences regarding evaluation of students with VI
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GENERAL CONSULTATION ABOUT INSTRUMENT
SELECTION• Provide ongoing consultation via
website regarding appropriate instruments to answer specific questions
• Develop procedure for monthly telephone consultation at scheduled time regarding particular issues
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GENERAL CONSULTATION ABOUT SPECIFIC
STUDENTS• Consult regarding implications of
etiology, specific test selection, and interpretation of data regarding specific student summaries and protocols
• Develop system for prioritizing access to this service by school districts throughout the state
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GENERAL CONSULTATION ABOUT SPECIFIC
STUDENTS (CONTINUED)
• Develop videoconferencing system to be used for recommending appropriate instruments and techniques as well as developing the IEP
• Provide statewide training about service available
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING SKILLS OF
LOCAL MDT• Review student summaries compiled by
local districts with goal of consulting with local MDT
• Review videotapes of testing as well as behavioral observations
• In conjunction with the local MDT, develop plan for evaluation
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE(CONTINUED)
• In conjunction with the local MDT, assist in interpretation of data and development of appropriate IEP
• Maintain redacted archive of training sessions on the website
• Maintain list of trained staff in each region who are willing to assist with additional evaluations for other school districts
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DIRECT EVALUATION OF STUDENTS IN SHORT-
TERM PROGRAMS• Develop process for prioritizing access
to this service
• Develop procedure for gathering information from local school and family
• Develop timelines for completing evaluation that will minimize loss of time in short-term programs
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DIRECT EVALUATION IN SHORT-TERM PROGRAMS
• Provide opportunities for local MDT to participate in evaluation
• Develop means of using evaluation as a source of training for other districts, possibly through videotaping, FAQs, etc.
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DIRECT EVALUATION OF STUDENTS IN LOCAL
DISTRICT• Develop procedure for prioritizing
access to this service
• Develop procedure for Outreach to gather specific data prior to evaluation
• Develop procedure for Outreach and local MDT to participate in the evaluation
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EVALUATION AT LOCAL DISTRICT (CONTINUED)
• Complete evaluation and summary conference at local school
• Develop procedure for using evaluation as a source of training materials for other schools