Assessment Description
IDEA requires that special education students be provided a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Special education teachers are among of the decision makers who identify what is the most appropriate, least restrictive educational environment for each student for whom an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. It is important that special education teachers be aware of the benefits and restrictions of each type of placement setting and know how to provide an individualized, effective education for students with disabilities.
Part 1: Graphic Organizer
Create a graphic organizer outlining five placement settings inside and outside of the school setting. For each placement setting, describe how that placement can support students with mild to moderate disabilities. Include the possible benefits and drawbacks of each placement setting as well.
Part 2: 1,000-1,250 words regarding the FAPE requirement of IDEA. Based on FAPE, discuss how the LRE should be appropriate in meeting student needs and following legislative guidelines. In addition, discuss the factors that should be used to determine the appropriate placement in the LRE for students with disabilities to ensure they receive a free and appropriate public education. Discuss how a student might move through a continuum of placements (e.g., inclusion, resource, self-contained) to best meet his or her needs and level of support.
Determining the Least Restrictive Environment – Rubric
Part 1: Graphic Organizer 18 points
Criteria Description
Part 1: Graphic Organizer
5. Target 18 points
Graphic organizer includes an accurate, realistic variety of placement settings inside and outside the school
setting for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Detailed, professional descriptions of the possible
benefits and drawbacks of each placement are provided.
4. Acceptable 15.66 points
Graphic organizer includes appropriate placement settings inside and outside of the school setting for
students with disabilities. Sound descriptions of the possible benefits and drawbacks of each placement are
provided.
3. Approaching 13.32 points
Graphic organizer includes less than five placement settings, or one or more settings are inappropriate for
students with mild to moderate disabilities. Descriptions of the possible benefits and drawbacks of each
placement lack detail or include slightly inaccurate information.
2. Insufficient 12.42 points
Graphic organizer lacks any substantive detail, is wholly inaccurate, or is incomprehensible.
1. No Submission 0 points
Not addressed.
Part 2: Essay – Meeting Legislative Guidelines 9 points
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Criteria Description
Part 2: Essay – Meeting Legislative Guidelines
5. Target 9 points
Within the context of FAPE, essay comprehensively discusses how the LRE should be appropriate in meeting
student needs and following legislative guidelines.
4. Acceptable 7.83 points
Within the context of FAPE, essay soundly discusses how the LRE should be appropriate in meeting student
needs and following legislative guidelines.
3. Approaching 6.66 points
Essay generally discusses how the LRE should be appropriate in meeting student needs and following
legislative guidelines, but is lacking meaningful detail, or does not fully explain the FAPE connection.
2. Insufficient 6.21 points
Discussion on LRE and meeting legislative guidelines is wholly inaccurate or incomprehensible.
1. No Submission 0 points
Not addressed.
Part 2: Essay – Continuum of Placements Process 9 points
Criteria Description
Part 2: Essay – Continuum of Placements Process
5. Target 9 points
The essay thoroughly outlines how schools can determine the best placement to ensure FAPE is provided for
all students with disabilities, accurately describing the process of moving through the continuum of
placements.
4. Acceptable 7.83 points
The essay soundly outlines how schools can determine the best placement to ensure FAPE is provided for all
students with disabilities, describing the process of moving through the continuum of placements.
3. Approaching 6.66 points
The essay minimally outlines how schools can determine the best placement to ensure FAPE is provided for all
students with disabilities. Includes brief description of the process of moving through the continuum of
placements, missing, or not fully representing one or more key elements.
2. Insufficient 6.21 points
Discussion on determining the best placement to ensure FAPE is provided for all students with disabilities
and/or the description of the process of moving through the continuum of placements is wholly inaccurate or
incomprehensible.
1. No Submission 0 points
Research 6 points
Criteria Description
Research
5. Target 6 points
Research is supportive of the information presented. Sources are timely, distinctive and clearly address all of
the criteria stated in the assignment.
4. Acceptable 5.22 points
Research is relevant and generally supports the information presented. All of the criteria stated in the
assignment are addressed.
3. Approaching 4.44 points
Submission includes only 1-2 sources, sources do not fully support claims, or sources are not all credible.
2. Insufficient 4.14 points
Sources provided do not support the claims of the presentation or are not credible.
1. No Submission 0 points
Not addressed.
Thesis Development and Purpose 4.2 points
Criteria Description
Thesis Development and Purpose
5. Target 4.2 points
Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the
paper clear.
4. Acceptable 3.65 points
Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive, reflective of the arguments,
and appropriate to the purpose.
3. Approaching 3.11 points
Thesis is underdeveloped or vague. Purpose is not clear.
2. Insufficient 2.9 points
Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.
1. No Submission 0 points
Not addressed
Argument Logic and Construction 4.8 points
Criteria Description
Argument Logic and Construction
5. Target 4.8 points
Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All
sources are authoritative.
4. Acceptable 4.18 points
Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth
progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.
3. Approaching 3.55 points
Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic.
Some sources have questionable credibility.
2. Insufficient 3.31 points
Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made.
Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.
1. No Submission 0 points
Not addressed.
Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) 3 points
Criteria Description
Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
5. Target 3 points
Submission is virtually free of mechanical errors. Word choice reflects well-developed use of practice and
content-related language. Sentence structures are varied and engaging.
4. Acceptable 2.61 points
Submission includes some mechanical errors, but they do not hinder comprehension. Varieties of effective
sentence structures are used, as well as some practice and content-related language.
3. Approaching 2.22 points
Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) or
word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied.
2. Insufficient 2.07 points
Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice
or sentence construction is used.
1. No Submission 0 points
Not addressed.
Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) 3 points
Criteria Description
Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)
5. Target 3 points
All format elements are correct.
4. Acceptable 2.61 points
Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style.
3. Approaching 2.22 points
Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is
apparent.
2. Insufficient 2.07 points
Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.
1. No Submission 0 points
Documentation of Sources 3 points
Criteria Description
Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and
style)
5. Target 3 points
Sources are documented completely and correctly, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free
of error.
4. Acceptable 2.61 points
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.
3. Approaching 2.22 points
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although several minor formatting errors
are present.
2. Insufficient 2.07 points
Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous
formatting errors
1 No Submission 0 points Total 60 points