According to IDEA guidelines, speech and language assessments must accurately determine whether a student has a disability and document the educational impact of a student’s communication difficulties. Status quo practices are misaligned with this guidance, with most school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) overly relying on norm-referenced testing at the expense of assessments that align with the curriculum. We will lead attendees through case studies using the RIOT (Review, Interview, Observation, Test) and ICEL (Instruction, Curriculum, Environment, Leaner) framework to illustrate how functional, curriculum-based assessments add value when making accurate disability determination decisions and creating IEPs that provide improved access to the curriculum and promote academic outcomes. The session will conclude by providing resources and strategies for incorporating curricular assessments into school-based practice.

SPEAKERS:
Alyssa Wojtyna, MS, CCC-SLP is the Project Manager and Statewide Coordinator on the Wisconsin Collective for Comprehensive Assessment (WisCCA) grant at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to joining WisCCA, she worked in the public schools for several years. Her clinical and research focus is on speech-language pathology practices within school settings. 

Disclosures:
Financial - Ms. Wojtyna is employed by the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and receives a salary. Non-financial – No relevant disclosures exist.

John Heilmann, PhD, CCC-SLP is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His research focuses on (1) research and development of assessment tools, including language sample analysis and (2) implementation research to promote speech-language pathologists' use of best practices.

Disclosures:
Financial – Dr. Heilman is employed by the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and receives a salary.  Non-financial – No relevant disclosures exist.

Dawn Merth-Johnson, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and Education Consultant for the Wisconsin Department on Public Instruction. She has 28 years of clinical and supervisory experience in the schools, long-term rehabilitation, and at the university level. Merth-Johnson presents on topics related to leadership, advocacy, and clinical practice. She serves on the WSHA Board as the State Education Advocacy Co-Leader (Co-SEAL) for Wisconsin and is the ASHA SEAL Champion of the Midwest region. 

Disclosures:
Financial – Ms. Merth-Johnson is employed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and receives a salary. Non-financial – She serves on the WSHA Board as the State Education Advocacy Co-Leader (Co-SEAL) and is the ASHA SEAL Champion of the Midwest region.

AGENDA:
Recommended vs Observed Assessment Practices (5 minutes)

• RIOT & ICEL: A Framework for Assessment (10 minutes)
• Case Study 1: Using Converging Evidence for Accurate Identification (15 minutes)
• Case Study 2: Designing an Educationally Relevant IEP (15 minutes)
• Summary (10 minutes)
• Questions (5 minutes)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 
After this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Describe IDEA guidelines for special education assessment practices with SLPs’ reported assessment practices.
2. Analyze a battery of assessment data and identify assessment tools that would add value in accurately identifying students with communication disorders.
3. Analyze a battery of assessment data and identify assessment tools that would add value in describing the educational impact of a communication disorder.

REGISTRATION FEES:
This webinar is complimentary for WSHA members.  Please log in to receive the discounted rate.  Non-members pay $25.