ASSESSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Write a five to seven (5-7) page paper in which you:
Propose your research topic in which you detail its relevance to meeting one (1) or more K-12
assessment goals in your chosen school district, focusing on a specific grade level, discipline, or target
student population (gifted students, students with special needs, etc.).
Examine at least three (3) key political, legal, and / or current issues related to your chosen topic.
Describe at least three (3) specific needs of the students in the school district including students with
special learning needs.
Propose at least three (3) applications your topic has to K-12 assessment in your chosen school district.
Provide at least four (5) sources that document detailed information about your proposed topic. The
sources must be written within the last five (5) years.
ASSESSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Introduction
This paper seeks to present several findings in relation to the use of technology in assisting
learning in Maynard Evans High School in the Orange County school district. The paper
therefore provides an in-depth analysis of the trends that have emerged and the best practices
developed in relation to computer-based assessment in an effort that also seeks to apply these
principles on K-12 learning and on students of the 9 th grade level.
It is important to consider the fact that many jurisdictions have been developed to support
technology-based learning in students with disabilities because of its cost effectiveness. On the
other hand, this approach is considered to improve teaching and learning outcomes through a
digital form of education. This clearly suggests the fact that disabled students are more likely to
learn through the inclusion of technology.
The potential for a computer based learning approach in catering for the special needs of
students with disabilities is therefore an effective approach that would aid in meeting the learning
needs of the students. This is attributed to the fact that digital learning has the capacity to provide
a platform for these students to learn, test and receive immediate feedback as they prepare for
their examination.
Students with Special Learning Needs
It is important to determine the fact that difficulties in recognizing and solving problems,
reading, writing, and even math in students in students at Maynard Evans High School County
school district remains one of the challenges that is common considering the fact that this
remains the period in which learning disabilities are mostly diagnosed (Langova, Anna. n.d).
ASSESSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
During this phase, some students are bound not to known their learning disability and would
latter realize this in their jobs, families and relationships.
In general, it is imperative to determine that students with learning disabilities are
considered to be average in intelligence, a factor that affects their success in education (Ault,
Bausch, & McLaren, 2013). These learning short comes are also referred to as hidden disabilities
since the students may pose as intelligent and brilliant. In order to determine the manner in
which technology can be used to assist students in this institution to learn, it is imperative to
determine that the focus of this paper will focus on three types of students with learning
disabilities:
Students with Auditory Processing Disorder (ADP)
This condition has an adverse effect on the flow of sound through the ear and how it is
processed and interpreted within the systems of the brain. Individual students with this disorder
find it difficult to recognize the differences between sounds in words even when they are clear
and loud.
Dyscalculia
This is considered a specific learning disability that has the capacity to have an effect on a
student’s ability to understand numbers during math lessons. Students with this type of learning
disability are likely to have challenges in comprehension of in clearly identifying arithmetical
symbols including the challenges in memorizing numbers.
Dysgraphia
ASSESSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
This is another kind of disability that affects a student’s ability to write, thus affecting the
motor skills of an individual. As a result of this, a student is bound to experience illegibility in
writing, poor spatial planning on a paper, spelling errors, inconsistent spacing and challenges in
composing a clear writing as well as thinking while writing.
Specific Needs of the Students
It is therefore essential to consider the fact that this remains the primary reason as to why
some of the students of Maynard Evans High School in Orange County are struggling to make a
transition to Florida Standards Assessment (FSA), a factor that remains one of the students
needs. The students are currently undertaking the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
(FCAT) within the education system in this county.
It is additionally important to consider that the students would also require the
involvement of their parents and guardians in their educational development (Ault, et.al.2013).
This would be appropriate in assisting them to make efforts towards achieving their education
goals as determined in K-12.
The students with special learning needs on the other hand would also want to achieve
their personal education goals within this institution, a factor that would also improve their
classroom involvement and social lives (Zcool.com. n.d). Additionally, students with special
learning needs would also achieve better standards of communication with their peers within the
institution.
ASSESSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Assistive Technology in aiding the Process of Learning in Students with Special
Learning Needs
It is essential to consider the fact that the students with special learning need accounts for
5% of the total population In the United States of America (Zcool.com. n.d). However, the vast
growth of ICT in the United States of America and the government’s initiatives directed towards
meeting the learning needs of this population have seen the need of using Assistive Technology
(AT) in enhancing the process of learning among this population.
The Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as an electronic device that can be used in
increasing, maintaining and improving the abilities of individuals with different disabilities
(Young, 2012). There are a number of AT devices and software’s that can be included in
enhancing the course of learning that can be achieved through careful planning in order to
benefit the students and to meet the goals of K-12 in Maynard Evans High School.
It is therefore important to note that in order to meet the goals of K-12; the Assistive
Technology will be used in this institution to help the students with different learning needs in
learning how to complete some of their tasks in order to pass areas of difficulties (Young, 2012).
For instance, when a student uses an AT in listening to a digitalized version of a book, this helps
them in passing an area of challenge.
Political, Legal, and Issues Related to the Inclusion of AT
According to the law, the element of inclusion in a classroom should be a factor that
educational facilities need to consider when teaching both the students with disabilities and those
with special learning needs to other normal students (Vasquez III Forbush, Mason, Lockwood, &
ASSESSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Gleed, 2011). In this case the element of inclusion is aimed at educating students within a regular
classroom rather than in special chosen schools.
In this case, the students with different disabilities and learning needs, including those
with severe impairments are able to be included in a general class sitting, with the required
support services and aids to ensure these students achieve success academically, behaviorally
and socially (Vasquez et.al.2011)
On the other hand, the federal state has developed appropriate measures for students with
special learning needs and disabilities through an approach that allows equal access to education
to all the students irrespective of their disabilities, gender, age through a publicly funded
education system programs and opportunities.
Applications of This Topic to K-12 Assessment
It is essential to consider the fact that education remains the primary objective of the K-12
assessment. In order to ensure that the goals of K-12 are achieved in Maynard Evans High
School in Orange County there is a need to take consideration of the students who have different
learning needs and well as those who present disabilities.
In this case, it will be essential to ensure that the system introduces assistive technology in
aiding the process of learning in students with special learning needs. Through this, Maynard
Evans High School may ensure a blend of computer-assisted instructional programs that infers to
software’s and applications that are developed to provide instructional and practical
opportunities for several devices such as iPads, mobile phones, computers and laptops to aid the
students in learning.
ASSESSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
These systems would therefore provide immediate feedback to the students with different
learning disabilities who in turn may be in a position to benefit from such nonjudgmental
computerized practices. This technology will therefore assist the students with special learning
needs as well as those with disabilities in this institution to develop knowledge on how to spell,
write, solve and construct expressions and mathematical symbols, a factor that would assist the
students in copying with math drills.
Conclusion
As determined, the potential for a computer based learning approach in catering for the
special needs of students with disabilities is therefore an effective approach that would aid in
meeting the learning needs of the students. This therefore determines the need to introduce
assistive technology in aiding the process of learning in students with special learning needs.
Through this, Maynard Evans High School may ensure a blend of computer-assisted
instructional programs that infers to software’s and applications that are developed to provide
instructional and practical opportunities for several devices such as iPads, mobile phones,
computers and laptops to aid the students in learning.
ASSESSING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
References
Ault, M. J., Bausch, M. E., & McLaren, E. M. (2013). Assistive technology service delivery in
rural school districts. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 32(2), 15-22.
