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A CONTINUUM OF EVALUATION SERVICES

Marnee Loftin, MA

School Psychologist, TSBVI

loftinm@tsbvi.edu or

loftinmp@att.net

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GOALS

Participants will:

1. Identify commonly-used methods of supporting evaluation of students with VI by schools for the blind

2. Identify problems with current models

3. Identify different models that might be used to function more efficiently

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SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND HAVE A CRUCIAL ROLE IN

SUPPORTING EVALUATION OF STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

THROUGHOUT A STATE

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EXPERTISE IS LIMITED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTINGS

REGARDING LOW INCIDENCE POPULATIONS

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SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND UNDERSTAND THIS NEED AND SUPPORT IT IN SOME MANNER THROUGHOUT

THE NATION

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COMMON TYPES OF SUPPORT

• Providing support through in-service training programs

• Providing direct evaluation services for students with visual impairment

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INSERVICE MODEL OF SERVICE DELIVERY

• Focus is upon training local staff

• Training occurs through phone consultations as well as workshops

• Provides training to an estimated 250 people per year in Texas

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PROBLEMS WITH THIS INSERVICE MODEL

• Theoretical information without opportunities for clinical practice

• Fragmented information

• Limited opportunities for follow-up

• Minimal impact upon the IEP for an individual student

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EVALUATION MODEL OF SERVICE DELIVERY

• Focus is upon evaluation of individual student

• Training occurs either at the school for blind or local school

• Comprehensive information is provided for a small number of students

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PROBLEMS WITH THIS EVALUATION MODEL

• Limited staff and large numbers make output minimal

• Local staff receive little training

• Limited opportunities for follow-up

• Difficulty with prioritizing evaluations

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MANY OF THE SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND ARE

APPLYING A NEW MODEL OF CONTINUUM OF

SERVICES TO INSTRUCTIONAL

PROGRAMS

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A CONTINUUM OF EVALUATION SERVICES

OFFERS MANY POSSIBILITIES

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A CONTINUUM OF EVALUATION SERVICES

WOULD: • Offer increased opportunities to train

local personnel• Increase access to appropriate

evaluations for students with visual impairments

• Decrease waiting times for evaluations• Prioritize access to evaluations by

specialists in visual impairment

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CONTINUUM OF EVALUATION SERVICES

• General training in evaluation • Specialized training in determination of

additional eligibilities• General consultation about specific

selection of evaluation instruments• Consultation about specific student and

recommendation for instruments to be administered

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(Continued)

• Consultation with local staff about planning, administering and interpreting evaluations

• Direct evaluation of students attending school for the blind on a short-term basis

• Direct evaluation of student in their local school with participation of local staff

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MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES CAN

SUPPORT THIS CONTINUUM OF

EVALUATION SERVICES

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TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY

IMPAIRED HAS CONTINUED TO DEVELOP AND

SUPPORT A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES IN THESE

AREAS

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GENERAL TRAINING IN BEST PRACTICES

• Present workshops throughout the state designed to improve evaluation of the approximately 8,000 students with visual impairment in Texas

• Develop videotapes by different disciplines that focus on techniques used for evaluation of students

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GENERAL CONSULTATION(CONTINUED)

• Consult by telephone about a variety of evaluation issues

• Publish materials to assist with evaluation issues and specific questions

• Compile best practice guidelines for use on website

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SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITIES

• Provide three-day workshops in determining additional eligibilities

• Consult with adult service agencies regarding differential diagnosis

• Develop series of videotapes with case studies focusing upon diagnosis of additional eligibilities

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ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITIES (CONTINUED)

• Maintain series of FAQs on the TSBVI regarding determination of additional eligibilities

• Present sessions at professional conferences regarding evaluation of students with VI

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GENERAL CONSULTATION ABOUT INSTRUMENT

SELECTION• Provide ongoing consultation via

website regarding appropriate instruments to answer specific questions

• Develop procedure for monthly telephone consultation at scheduled time regarding particular issues

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GENERAL CONSULTATION ABOUT SPECIFIC

STUDENTS• Consult regarding implications of

etiology, specific test selection, and interpretation of data regarding specific student summaries and protocols

• Develop system for prioritizing access to this service by school districts throughout the state

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GENERAL CONSULTATION ABOUT SPECIFIC

STUDENTS (CONTINUED)

• Develop videoconferencing system to be used for recommending appropriate instruments and techniques as well as developing the IEP

• Provide statewide training about service available

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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING SKILLS OF

LOCAL MDT• Review student summaries compiled by

local districts with goal of consulting with local MDT

• Review videotapes of testing as well as behavioral observations

• In conjunction with the local MDT, develop plan for evaluation

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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE(CONTINUED)

• In conjunction with the local MDT, assist in interpretation of data and development of appropriate IEP

• Maintain redacted archive of training sessions on the website

• Maintain list of trained staff in each region who are willing to assist with additional evaluations for other school districts

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DIRECT EVALUATION OF STUDENTS IN SHORT-

TERM PROGRAMS• Develop process for prioritizing access

to this service

• Develop procedure for gathering information from local school and family

• Develop timelines for completing evaluation that will minimize loss of time in short-term programs

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DIRECT EVALUATION IN SHORT-TERM PROGRAMS

• Provide opportunities for local MDT to participate in evaluation

• Develop means of using evaluation as a source of training for other districts, possibly through videotaping, FAQs, etc.

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DIRECT EVALUATION OF STUDENTS IN LOCAL

DISTRICT• Develop procedure for prioritizing

access to this service

• Develop procedure for Outreach to gather specific data prior to evaluation

• Develop procedure for Outreach and local MDT to participate in the evaluation

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EVALUATION AT LOCAL DISTRICT (CONTINUED)

• Complete evaluation and summary conference at local school

• Develop procedure for using evaluation as a source of training materials for other schools