Assessing and Reporting On Students With Diverse Abilities

In this unit university students will examine past and current assessment and reporting standards for individuals with diverse abilities. They will investigate educational theories of learning as well as evaluative practices for assessing learning. Consideration will be given to how teachers and professional staff use formal and informal assessments tasks to cater for the needs of all learners including those from diverse backgrounds, students with additional needs and students who are ‘gifted’. Assessment and reporting tools commonly used in educational settings that are aligned with early intervention will also be explored. Historical approaches to assessment and ‘testing’ of children with special needs will be critiqued. This unit will also investigate how teachers use diagnostic, formative and summative assessment tools and how they report on the personal, social, psychological and physical needs of learners with diverse abilities.