MSE 7901 Diagnosis/Assessment of Reading Difficulties for Non-Reading/Literacy Majors
The nature of reading problems and the methods, techniques, and materials used in diagnosing and remediating language-based learning disabilities are studied in detail. Focus is on the learner and the interpretation of physiological, psychological, sociological, and educational factors, which influence reading achievement. Practical experiences are provided as they pertain to the administration and interpretation of informal and formal assessment of reading performance. Candidates will engage in the development of evidence-based interventions and instructional strategies employed in the remediation process. This course provides candidates with essential knowledge and skills related to appropriate assessment strategies and helps candidates understand how to equitably and effectively assess student learning. Course activities include a study of typical and atypical literacy development with attention to language-based learning disabilities. Candidates will complete performance tasks and assignments aligned to the appropriate grade level/subject area for their content certification. As part of this course, candidates are required to work one on one with a PK-12 student with mild to moderate exceptionalities. During the 25 hours of interaction, candidates will be engaged in informal reading assessment administration and interpretation. Candidates learn how to make data-driven decisions that align with both curricular goals and student instructional needs related to phonological processing, phonics and word recognition, fluency and automaticity development, orthographic processing or morphological awareness. Candidates will use data to reflect on the effectiveness and quality of their own teaching. Candidates learn how to use data to help solve instructional problems such as closing the learning/achievement gaps that are indigenous to most classrooms.