Enriching Education

Children should be in an environment that helps them learn and grow, but many educational system challenges detract from their evaluation and placement. Testing can be unreliable as a standalone assessment, and an incomplete evaluation can stunt child development.

Dr. Edward Schultz, Professor of Special Education at Midwestern State University, paints a nuanced picture of an educational system grappling with a surge of evaluations propelled by the reverberations of COVID-19, teacher shortages, and socioeconomic pressures. A seasoned expert in special education, Dr. Schultz goes deep into the heart of educational assessment, challenging the status quo of norm reference testing and calling for a more mindful approach that honors each student's unique narrative.

This episode recognizes the delicate balance between support and stigma, between classification and understanding, and the vital role education plays in shaping academic journeys and life stories for children.

Tune in to hear:

1. How accurate evaluations are crucial to avoid unnecessary labeling and ensure students who genuinely need additional support receive it.
2. How an enhanced focus on early identification and intervention in the general education setting can significantly reduce the later need for special education services.
3. Why schools should supply cohesive support for students who may not qualify for special education but still require instructional assistance. 

Timestamped overview:

[04:29] Why curriculum casualties lead to subjective disability identification

[08:10] An increase in referrals means a need for emphasis on early identification

[13:06] What accommodations can be made for students who don't qualify

[16:06] How early identification and labeling benefit or harm 

[19:27] Why the pressure to qualify kids as disabled is concerning

[21:38] The challenges of over-identifying special education needs

[24:54] Addressing social and educational problems through laws.

[30:07] The need for procedural and educational support

[31:44] How to approach policy and learning explanations with parents

[38:10] The problem with reliance on standardized testing for evaluation

[44:42] Considering other factors in evaluating a child’s needs

[46:34] Addressing fear-based decisions with a data-driven approach

[48:26] How to look beyond test scores for a holistic view

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In education and psychology, focusing on fixing what’s wrong in a child’s life to improve treatment outcomes is common. But this approach misses vital traits that make up the whole child, negatively impacting their experiences.

Student assessment results offer educators a lot of data, but sometimes, the lens we use to interpret the results fails to acknowledge our multicultural world. Knowing and acknowledging the differences between home, social, and academic languages helps evaluators move beyond test scores to a more nuanced understanding of our increasingly diverse student population.

A child’s first day of kindergarten is, in theory, the dawn of a transformative odyssey, brimming with readiness, resilience, and a promise of endless possibilities. But this isn’t always the case for all children, and today, it’s incredibly important for early educators to recognize this.  

Dr. Johnnie Pettigrew, Adjunct Professor at Texas Women’s University and Educational Diagnostician, has advocated for individualized early development support for over four decades. In this episode, she speaks with host Dr. Tammy Stephens about kindergarten readiness and the escalating academic pressures on our youngest students. 

Focusing on language development as the foundation and learning through play, Dr. Pettigrew delves into stories and strategies around what we need to know to prepare every child for kindergarten. 

Tune in to hear:
1. The benefits of routine and responsibility in early education and teaching children responsibilities as a preparatory step for school.
2. How pretend play contributes to developmental growth by creating a space to proactive problem-solving and social skills.
3. What the cultural and socioeconomic impacts are on learning, language development, and how educators can respect these developmental differences. 

Timestamped overview:

[03:59] Struggling community, lack of resources, education disparity

[07:27] Expectations for kindergartners vs. developmental appropriateness

[09:36] Study compared language development in different communities

[14:48] How educators can identify kids who are behind or need additional support

[23:15] Nonverbal student who thrived with support and encouragement

[27:40] The importance of play in learning

[28:37] Technology use influences language development in children

[41:09] Highlight strengths and support early to shape mental outlook

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The world of educational test development is intricate and collaborative - full of rigorous steps in the crafting and revising process.

And the key to successful test development lies in customer feedback and engagement.

From focus groups that inform item selection to the careful consideration of demographic diversity to combat bias, Dr. Eric Snader, Director of Clinical Content Development at Riverside Insights, reveals how tests are revised every ten years to reflect societal changes and evolving educational standards.

Tune in to hear:

1. Why customer engagement is the cornerstone of test creation, shaping everything from item formulation to pricing strategies
2. Why diversity and fairness in test items are non-negotiable in our quest to serve all demographics equitably.
3. Valuable insights on how educators can contribute to the evolution of test content by pitching their ideas to product managers.

Timestamped overview:

[06:15] Old and new research impacts test content

[09:41] Reviewing literature and engaging experts in various fields

[15:23] Collect cases to build normative data tables

[19:30] Review content with diverse experts for fairness

[23:11] Adapting test development due to supply chain disruption

[29:51] Gathering feedback to improve the examiner's manual

[30:52] Product managers make decisions on new ideas

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