ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on strategies special educators can use to engage stakeholders more fully in interpreting assessment information and making decisions about students' individualized education programs (IEPs). It provides specific recommendations about the process of interpreting and communicating assessment results to key stakeholders. The chapter describes the rationale and purposes of interpreting and communicating assessment information, with a focus on collaboration for designing educational programs. It gives general information about the purpose of assessment information and how key stakeholders can use this information on an ongoing basis to guide instructional decisions. The chapter explores the specific role and steps special educators can take to interpret and communicate assessment data. It also provides information about assessments in a more digestible format for families, which in turn can help families understand what their child needs and participate better in collaborative team meetings, such as the IEP meeting. The chapter also describes strategies and methods in communicating assessment information with diverse key stakeholders.
