Name: Assessment Tool Selection: Matching Instruments to Your DHH Students and Caseload
Start: 2026-09-14T15:00:00-0400
End: 2026-09-14T16:00:00-0400

Assessment Tool Selection: Matching Instruments to Your DHH Students and Caseload

Monday September 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

502 East Event Centre

Session Description:
Explore and evaluate assessment instruments designed for or appropriate for DHH students. Through hands-on examination of test kits, participants will learn to critically analyze technical adequacy, determine best-fit tools for their caseloads, and build cost-effective assessment collections that provide valid, reliable data across age ranges and skill domains.

Session Abstract:
This interactive session provides teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing with practical experience examining and evaluating assessment instruments to make informed purchasing and implementation decisions. Participants will engage in hands-on exploration of test kits spanning language assessment, literacy evaluation, speech and auditory skills measurement, academic achievement testing, and functional/transition assessments.

The presentation guides teachers through a systematic evaluation process considering: (1) technical adequacy including reliability, validity, and appropriateness of norming samples for DHH populations; (2) linguistic accessibility and whether assessments can be administered in sign language or with accommodations; (3) age/grade range coverage and whether single instruments can serve multiple students; (4) administration time and scoring complexity relative to caseload demands; (5) cost-effectiveness including initial purchase price, replacement materials, and training requirements; and (6) alignment with IEP goal areas and state standards.

Teachers will learn to distinguish between assessments normed on DHH populations versus hearing populations, understand when hearing norms are appropriate or misleading, and identify assessments with evidence of cultural and linguistic validity. The session addresses building tiered assessment systems with screening tools, diagnostic instruments, and progress monitoring measures that work together efficiently.
Participants will practice using evaluation rubrics to compare similar assessments, discuss real-world implementation challenges, and share experiences with various instruments. The session includes guidance on grant writing for assessment purchases, sharing resources across programs, and prioritizing essential tools when budgets are limited. Teachers will develop personalized action plans identifying which assessments best meet their program's needs.

Session Goals:

At the end of this session, participants will identify key criteria for evaluating assessment instruments including validity for DHH populations, norming samples, linguistic demands, and administrative feasibility for their specific caseload characteristics.
At the end of this session, participants will describe the strengths and limitations of commonly used assessment tools for DHH students across domains including language, literacy, speech, auditory skills, and academic achievement.
At the end of this session, participants will list decision-making factors for building a practical assessment toolkit that balances psychometric quality, age/grade range coverage, budget constraints, and time efficiency for their program needs.

Speakers

Brenda Wellen, M.S.

Executive Director, Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss

Brenda is a semi-retired Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in San Angelo, Texas. She received her Bachelor's Degree in English at Angelo State University and earned her Master's Degree in Communication Sciences with a specialty in Deaf Education at Texas Woman's University... Read More →

Monday September 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
502 East Event Centre 502 E Carmel Dr, Carmel, IN 46032, USA

Deaf/Hard of Hearing

INSAIL 2026

Brenda Wellen, M.S.

Attendees (1)

Get help with the event

INSAIL 2026

Brenda Wellen, M.S.

Attendees (1)

Log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event