SLD Determination Under IDEA: Integration of RTI and Neurocognitive Assessment
Length: 3 hours
The field of school psychology is experiencing an exciting time of growth with the implementation of RTI. Many professionals are asking how can children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) be identified (and differentiated from other disabilities) using this new system? Federal Law (IDEA) clearly state that a variety of evaluation methods are required for SLD eligibility determination -- but there is a need for clearly articulated and workable methods. In this workshop I present the Discrepancy/Consistency model for SLD determination. This approach is consistent with IDEA and integrates RTI and assessment of basic psychological processes. Strengths and weaknesses of all the commonly used ability tests and RTI as they relate to SLD determination will be provided. Case studies and research evidence regarding RTI and evaluation of basic psychological processes will be presented. In addition, The presenter will provide a discussion of how to use the discrepancy/consistency model for SLD eligibility determination and how to select research based cognitive interventions based on a child's pattern of cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses.
Learning Objective 1
Understand the impact of Federal Law (IDEA) on identification of children with SLD.
Learning Objective 2
Describe strengths and weaknesses of using Response to Intervention (RTI) for SLD eligibility determination as well as strenght and weaknesses for all the commonly used ability and processing tests of intelligence.
Learning Objective 3
Describe how to use a neurocognitive approach to SLD determination.
Presenter: Jack Naglieri, PhD
Dr. Naglieri, is a Research Professor at the University of Virginia and Senior Research Scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. He obtained his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia in 1979, taught school psychology at Northern Arizona University (1979-1982), The Ohio State University (1982 to 2000), and George Mason University (2000-2010). Dr. Naglieri's main interest is in the development of psychological and educational tests and the implications these approaches have for diagnosis and academic or emotional interventions. He is the author of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test which is widely used for identification of gifted children. He is also well known for his theory of intelligence referred to as PASS and measured with the Cognitive Assessment System and applied to the classroom using the book Helping Children Learn. He has published nearly 20 books, 35 tests and rating scales, and more than 250 research papers. In summary, Dr. Naglieri has an extensive research program that includes scholarly research, books, and psychological tests with an emphasis on uniting sound theory with scientific practice.
- SLD Determination Under IDEA