Ryan Kettler, PhD - Rutgers University

Putting the Score First: Selection of Test Accommodations for IEP Teams (82 min.) LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Describe policy, theory, and empirical evidence that have influenced our current thinking about educational testing accommodations. 2. Identify the roles of the examinee, the test, access skills, and the target construct within the selection of the appropriate accommodation(s) for each testing event. 3.Select testing accommodations for individuals using a process that improves the consistency of scores and the validity of ensuing inferences. ABSTRACT: Educational testing accommodations are often selected in practice solely by considering whether they are likely to increase scores; this method does little to distinguish the selected accommodations from an award of bonus points. This intermediate-level webinar presents a framework for practitioners in education and psychology to select accommodations based on student profiles and testing demands. A brief history of testing accommodations policy in the U.S. and a definition of terms provide context for the discussion. A review of theory and empirical findings related to testing accommodations follows. The key assumption is testing accommodations are properly used to attain scores from which valid inferences can be drawn, rather than to increase scores. The webinar presents a three-step process that involves identifying access skills, selecting accommodations, and considering their impact on target skills or knowledge. (1hr 22 minutes) BIOGRAPHY: Ryan J. Kettler, PhD is the Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He is also a Professor in the Department of School Psychology Program of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He earned his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Kettler's research on data-based decision making in education has been externally funded and yielded more than 60 publications. Active areas within this program include universal screening, inclusive assessment, and educator effectiveness. Dr. Kettler has been a principal investigator or co-principal investigator on eight grant projects, including three funded by the U.S. Department of Education. He is currently a co-principal investigator of the School System Improvement Project, the Website Editor for the Society for the Study of School Psychology, and co-editor of the upcoming Handbook of Accessible Instruction and Testing Practices: Issues, Innovations, and Applications (Second Edition). USER RATING: 4.9 out of 5 STARS (6) "The discussion surrounding differential boost was something that I had not previously encountered in my graduate studies. I thought this was informative and helpful in looking at what test accommodations should be provided." American Psychological Association (APA) Buros Center for Testing is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Buros Center for Testing maintains responsibility for this program and its content. National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Buros Center for Testing is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Buros Center for Testing maintains responsibility for this program and its content. (Provider #1113) New York State Education Department (NYSED) Buros Center for Testing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0187. There is no known commercial support for this program. INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDED WHEN PURCHASED FOR A COURSE: PowerPoint slides References/additional readings Comprehension quiz with answer key Discussion questions Timestamps for presentation content For a brief preview of this video, click link below.