In the U.S., special education teachers play a crucial role in the support of students with disabilities. These educators must have the expertise to provide the best experience possible for their students. This includes an understanding of assessment practices.
For bilingual and English learner (EL) special education teachers, being aware of assessment practices to track student progress and make critical adjustments can improve the learning environment. For those desiring more knowledge in this area, a program like the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) online Master of Science (M.S.) in Special Education with a Specialization in Bilingual Education is an ideal choice. This degree program establishes a foundation for working in special education, including coursework on law and ethics, evidence-based practice and classroom behavior management.
What Is Special Education?
Since 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has ensured that public schools must provide “free and appropriate public education” to students who have disabilities and special education requirements due to those disabilities. This applies to children and young adults between the ages of 3 and 21.
For those who fit into one or more of the 13 categories defined by IDEA, special education instruction should be available to meet the needs of the student, according to information from the Texas Education Agency. This can encompass a variety of services, tools and specialized knowledge to address individuals’ unique requirements.
Each student receives an individualized education program (IEP) created by a committee of educators alongside the child’s parents or legal guardians. Special education practices can vary greatly depending on a student’s needs, so practices like assessment are even more vital in providing a high standard of care.
Bilingual Special Education and EL Special Education
Language abilities play an important role in special education, just as they do in the standard public education environment. For bilingual students and EL students, it is crucial that teachers are equipped with the necessary knowledge to communicate comfortably with pupils.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education reveal that in 2020, nearly 12% of students with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 21 also identified as English learners. A teacher with a background in EL practices can provide vital, specialized instruction and support.
In an interview with bilingual learning organization Colorin Colorado, EL expert and researcher Lynn Shafer Willner discusses the challenges posed by bilingual and EL special education and how positive change is affecting students and teaching professionals. In her interview, Willner emphasizes the importance of re-assessing how testing and other practices affect ELLs (English language learners).
According to Willner, programs can adjust to better accommodate ELLs in the special education environment by offering different types of testing and more flexibility regarding visual and auditory needs and print disabilities. Educators in TAMIU’s online M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Bilingual Education program learn about these bilingual teaching concepts in courses like Bilingual Oral Language Assessment and Development.
What Is Assessment in Special Education?
While direct contact teaching hours are a sizable part of the role of a special education professional, experts like Willner agree that assessment cannot be overlooked. By assessing how students cope with various scenarios within testing and teaching methodologies, educators can analyze success rates and make choices to bring about positive change for their students. They can include accommodations for students within test design, for example, rather than adding them on as a temporary fix for a bigger issue.
TAMIU’s specialized online M.S. in Special Education program features a Measurement & Evaluation course that encourages educators to consider all aspects of an assessment process, including accounting for students’ distinct strengths and needs. For those who are serious about becoming experts in the special education field, a specialized graduate degree can help build a powerful skill set for empowering pupils.
Learn more about TAMIU’s online Master of Science in Special Education with a Specialization in Bilingual Education program.
