Chapter 1: Introduction to Assessment
Brief Summary
Chapter 1 will present students with a general overview of assessment. After reading this chapter your
students should be able to do the following:
➢ Define assessment
➢ Understand the purpose of assessment
➢ Understand the landmark court cases in special education
➢ Know the various federal legislation pertaining to special education and individuals with
disabilities:
Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act
P.L. 94-142: The Education of All Handicapped Children Act
P.L. 99-457: Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986
P.L. 101-476: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
P.L. 105-17: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997
P.L. 108-446: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement
Act of 2004
Lecture and Discussion Outline
I. Overview of Assessment
II. Stages of Assessment
A. Collection
B. Analysis
C. Evaluation
D. Determination
E. Recommendations
III. Purpose of Assessment
A. Screening and identification of suspected disabilities
B. Evaluation
C. Eligibility and diagnosis
D. IEP development and placement
E. Instructional planning
IV. Federal Legislation and Landmark Court Cases in Special Education
A. Overview
B. 1960s and John F. Kennedy
C. PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1972)
D. Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia (1972)
V. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
A. Overview
B. Purpose of IDEIA
C. Understanding IDEIA Citations
D. Classifications under IDEIA
E. Prevalence of Children Receiving Special Education Services under IDEIA
VI. Overview of the Assessment Process
A. Identification of Children
B. Full and Individual Evaluation of the Child by a Multidisciplinary Team
C. Determination of Eligibility for Special Education
D. Scheduling an IEP meeting
VII. Conclusion Essay Questions
▪ Discuss the five components of the assessment process in order to determine the presence of a
suspected disability.
▪ Discuss the purpose of assessment and the important decisions assessment addresses