OATdb Archive

2010 - 2011

Special Education MA (Low Incidence Disabilities And Autism)

Goal
Mastery Of Board Certified Behavior Analyst.(BACB) Task List
BACB task list indicates learner objectives for becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Objective
BCAB Task List
Graduates will demonstrate competencies as set forth by  the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) for Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification


Indicator
BCBA Certification Exam
BCBA certification exam developed by the BACB and administered through Pearson Testing Centers.


Criterion
Pass Rates
70% of candidates will pass the BCBA exam


Finding
Candidate Performance On BCBA Exam.
Data are kept confidential by the BCBA. At this writing, satisfactory performance of candidates on the BCBA Examination is obtained but actual percentages of test-takers and pass rates are being sought.

Action
Performance On BCBA Exam
A system will be put in place for obtaining specific data and creating an ongoing data base for candidate performance. Specific numbers for test-takers and performance rates will be obtained.

NOTE: After contacting the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, they stated that scores are not reported to institutions, only individual test-takers. Therefore, this data will not be used to track progress in the future.



Goal
Mastery Of Council For Exceptional Children (CEC) Knowledge And Skills
Mastery of CEC knowledge and Skills of Special Educator

Objective
Comprehensive Exams
Candidates will demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills on comprehensive examinations referenced to the standards set forth by the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Knowledge and Skills for special education teachers.


Indicator
Scoring Rubric
Faculty-developed rubric scored by two independent faculty members following standards of CEC and the BACB task list.


Criterion
Passing Rates
80% of candidates will score 70% or better on the rubric (see attached).


Finding
Performance On Comprehensive Examinations In LIDA
In the Spring 2011 semester, 12 of 12 candidates (100%) scored above 70% on Comprehensive Examinations. Areas of strength were Basic Principles of Behavior Analysis. Areas for improvement are Data Analysis & Improvement, Behavioral Support Plan Development, and Application of Ethical Principles.

Action
LIDA Comprehensive Examinations
Since all candidates scored above 70%, for 2011 - 2012, 80% of the candidates will be expected to reach a criterion of 80%. To improve knowledge and skills of Ethical Principles, a course is being developed in this area and will be taught in spring 2012. For the areas of Data Analysis & Interpretation and Behavioral Support Plans there are additional assignments and applications in SPD 637, SPD 632, and SPD 661 in each of these area.

Goal
Mastery Of BDS (Behavior Development Solutions) Assessment Instruments
BDS software program supports  BCBA certification exam preperation.

Objective
Task List
Students will demonstrate competency on the BACB Task List items to become a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA).

Indicator
BDS Module Scores
Completion with 100% accuracy in BDS software program modules.

Criterion
Passing Rates On Modules
90% of students in SPD 587 (Research in Special Education) will achieve a score of 100% in BDS software modules.


Finding
BDS Class Modules
At this writing, specific numbers for candidate performance on BDS software for Spring2011 are being obtained. Since this is a requirement for satisfying the course competencies, it is assumed that satisfactory performance was obtained.

Action
BDS Software Modules
A data base for recording and tracking candidate performance on BDS software modules will be created and stored with the graduate program for LLSP. Upon obtaining specific performance numbers and percentages, data will be entered into OATDB. Satisfactory performance has been obtained for 10/11 students. Students must pass modules with 100% accuracy in SPD 632 (Modules 1-6) and SPD 661 (Modules 7-10).

NOTE:  The students all acheived proficiency on this instrument since it is competency-based using the principles of mastery learning. Therefore, this indicator will not be used in the future.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement For fall 2011, coordination and a systematic process for procuring data from the three sources - BACB examinations, LIDA comprehensive examination, BDS modules - will be a primary goal. CEC Knowledge and Skills will be integrated into coursework in the LIDA sequence. Further evaluation of program standards and professional competencies in the LIDA program will be documented. Due to limitations in the availability of information from the Behavior Analysis Certification Board and the nature of the Behavior Development Solutions software, new indicators for tracking progress are being determined.