SPED 6929 - Assessment of Exceptional Learners
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 30443,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dr. Gary Jacobs
Professional Qualifications:
Ph. D., Special Education and Applied Behavioral Analysis, The Ohio State University
Master’s, Management, Antioch University
Bachelor’s, Elementary (1-8) and Special Education (K-12) Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Kent State University
Dr. Gary Jacobs
Email: gjacobs01@ysu.edu
Office: Office: Beeghly Hall: 2407
Office Phone: 330-941-3255
Additional Contact Methods:
Email, Blackboard messaging, Call, Webex, or meet in person.
Preferred Contact Method: Email, Phone, BB Messaging, Webex, Call or in person meeting
Communication Expectations:
Please allow 24 hours for a response to your email. Include the course in the subject line. If you do not receive an email within 24-48 hours, please email again or call.
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Jacobs or Dr. Gary Jacobs
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Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Assessing students with special needs (8th ed). | Kritikos, K. P., McLoughlin, J.A. and Lewis, R.A. |
Kritikos, K. P., McLoughlin, J.A. and Lewis, R.A. (2018). Assessing students with special needs (8th ed). Pearson Publishing.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/29 | Read Ch 1 – 3 (textbook) Additional reading in BB | Topic: Assessment is an essential part of special education. In this module, the student will learn about the laws pertaining to assessment and the process a student encounters prior to becoming eligible for SPED services. | Due 2/28 at 5:47pm: SPED 6929 Error Analysis Discussion Board (DB) Initial Response Due: Wednesday, July 1st by 11:59 pm and Responses to at least two classmates by Sunday, January 11th July 5th at 11:59 pm. Assignment: Assessment Advantages and Disadvantages Due: Sunday, July 5th by 11:59 pm |
| 7/6 | Read Ch 4 & 5 (textbook) Additional reading in BB | assessments can still be used to identify a student with a disability. However, it must be in conjunction with informal assessments and classroom observations. This module discusses the formal assessments. | DB Initial Response Due: Wednesday, July 8th 3rd by 11:59 pm and Responses to at least two classmates by Sunday, July 12th at 11:59 pm. Assignment: School Psychologist Due: Sunday, July 12th by 11:59 pm Due 7/5 at 11:59pm: Module 1: Assignment Due 7/5 before 11:58:45pm: Module 1: Discussion |
| 7/13 | Read Ch 6 (textbook) Additional reading in BB | Topic: Formal assessments can still be used to identify a student with a disability. However, it must be in conjunction with informal assessments and classroom observations. This module discusses the informal assessments. | DB Initial Response Due: Wednesday, July 15th by 11:59 pm and Responses to at least two classmates by Sunday, July 19th at 11:59 pm. Assignment: RTI Model Due: Sunday, July 19th by 11:59 pm Due 7/12 at 11:59pm: Module 2: Assignment Due 7/12 before 11:59:02pm: Module 2: Discussion |
| 7/20 | Read Ch 7 & 8 (textbook) A Parent’s Guide to Standardized Achievement Testing Additional reading in BB | Topic: In order to qualify for a specific type of disability, certain formal evaluations must be conducted. This module discusses the formal assessments | DB Initial Response Due: Wednesday, July 22nd by 11:59 pm and Responses to at least two classmates by Sunday, July 26th at 11:59 pm. Assignment: Intervention Specialist Due: Sunday, July 26th by 11:59 pm Due 7/19 at 11:59pm: Module 3: Assignment Due 7/19 before 11:59:31pm: Module 3: Discussion |
| 7/27 | Read Ch 9 & 10 (textbook) Additional reading in BB | Topic: In order to qualify for a specific type of disability, certain formal evaluations must be conducted. This module discusses the informal assessments. | DB Initial Response Due: Wednesday, July 29th by 11:59 pm and Responses to at least two classmates by Sunday, August 2nd at 11:59 pm. Assignment: Case Studies: Data Decision Making Due: Sunday, August 2nd by 11:59 pm Due 7/26 at 11:59pm: Module 4: Assignment Due 7/26 before 11:59:47pm: Module 4: Discussion |
| 8/3 | Read Ch 13 & 15 (textbook) IRIS Module Mathematics: Identifying and Addressing Student Errors Additional reading in BB | Topic: Under IDEA, progress monitoring must occur to ensure the student is making adequate progress on his/her IEP. This module discusses informal assessments to use with reading and writing. | DB Initial Response Due: Wednesday, August 5th by 11:59 pm and Responses to at least two classmates by Sunday, August 9th at 11:59 pm. Assignment: Case Studies: Written Expression Due: Sunday, August 9th by 11:59 pm Due 8/2 at 11:59pm: Module 5: Assignment Due 8/2 before 11:59:15pm: Module 5: Discussion |
| 8/10 | Read Ch 14 (textbook) Additional reading in BB | Topic: Under IDEA, progress monitoring must occur to ensure the student is making adequate progress on his/her IEP. This module discusses informal assessments to use with math. | DB Initial Response Due: Wednesday, August 12th by 11:59 pm and Responses to at least two classmates by Saturday, August 15th at 11:59 pm. Assignment: Error Analysis Critical Task Due: Thursday, August 13th by 11:59 pm Culminating Quiz Due Saturday, August 15th by 11:59 pm Due 8/9 at 11:59pm: Module 6: Assignment Due 8/9 before 11:59:53pm: Module 6: Discussion Due 8/13 at 11:59pm: Module 7: Assignment Due 8/15 before 11:59:18pm: Module 7: Discussion Due 8/15 at 11:59pm: Week #7 Quiz |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.