EDU 746 Case Study
INTRODUCTION
During the Spring of 2016, I took a course titled EDUC 746: Diagnosis and Evaluation of Reading Difficulties. We were asked to select a striving reader and perform 5 reading assessments on the student. I selected one of my own striving readers, a 10 year old Latina girl who joined my classroom a few weeks after school had begun. The child selected had attendance issues at her previous school, and her family has experienced several hardships. Though her reading skills are behind grade level, this child has a loving, sweet heart. She tries with all her might and works hard during school; working with her was a joy and we had fun reading together, too!
STANDARDS
WI Teacher Standards:
Standard 3: Teachers understand that children learn differently
Standard 7: Teachers are able to plan different kinds of lessons
Standard 8: Teachers know how to test for student progress
IRA Standards:
IRA Standard 1: Candidates understand the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction.
IRA Standard 3: Candidates use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction.
Standard 5: Candidates create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments.
REFLECTION
I feel that my first case study was very successful for several reasons. First, my sweet student looked forward to our weekly meetings, and she even asked to still meet after the 5 sessions were complete. I feel the reason she enjoyed this time, even though she states she doesn't really enjoy reading, is due to our relationship. Another reason I believe this case study was successful is that I was able to pin-point my student's strengths and areas of growth. Finally, I was able to try out several interventions and conferencing techniques that I will be able to implement in the future.
