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Decorative
Literacy for Children with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss

Strategy 2: Use consistent methods to evaluate a how well a student understands what he or she is learning

What to Do

  • Identify student’s consistent access and response mode.
  • Identify methods of assessment that allow the student to demonstrate progress toward mastery of task.
    • There are many ways to assess that a student is learning from what they are reading:
      • Modify formal assessment.
      • Reduce the number of items & answer choices.
      • Allow alternate response mode, such as eye gaze, picture symbols, etc.
        Assess using same materials, e.g., symbols/text, utilized for instruction.
      • Format assessment materials to match the student’s access mode.
  • Define observable/measurable progress (what does progress look like?).
    • By using the task analysis models proposed by Browder, Downing and others, teachers can document progress in students’ literacy behaviors.
  • Determine frequency of assessment and data analysis.
  • Analyze data to modify instruction/strategies, if needed.

Things to Consider

  • Have you considered whether the student’s preferred access mode may change between subject areas, e.g., Braille for reading/large print for math?
  • Are you allowing ample time for student to process questions and respond?
  • Does your assessment measure what you are trying to test?
  • Have you broken down the task into manageable and observable steps?


Always Ask Yourself