Megan Gregory 741 Reflection

Megan Gregory 1
SPED 741: Methods and Assessment: Literacy Interventions for Struggling Learners &
Students with High-Incidence Disabilities
Case Study Assignment
Reflection
The Case Study Assignment is one of the ongoing assignments in SPED 741, the
Literacy Interventions course for the KU Master’s Degree in Special Education. This
assignment charged us with demonstrating our newly acquired knowledge about the
assessments for the five elements of reading as well as creating lesson plans targeting the
skills identified.
The purpose of this assignment is to help me gain an in-depth understanding of the
reading needs of a particular student and develop an appropriate reading instructional and
intervention plan. I selected a target student and assessed him in the five areas of reading
(phonemic awareness, phonics/word study, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) using a
variety of the assessment tools presented in this course. As the summary of this assignment, I
wrote up the results of each assessment including a summary of the student’s reading
strengths and weaknesses. Also included in this summary is an instructional/intervention plan
to address the student’s reading needs.
My reflection of this assignment revolves around the assessments I implemented and
the information that I learned from my student. This was my first opportunity to implement
these assessments on my own. I not only provided a detailed profile of a student, I followed
him throughout the semester observing and learning from his strengths and weaknesses in the
classroom. For example, one of the requirements of this assignment was to learn in-depth
about the student’s interests, academics, family, and goals. It was eye opening to engage with
a student who did not like to read, and at the end of this term he began to find his interest and
eagerness to learn through literature.
I have learned the importance of learning from our students and using their
experiences to cultivate our own learning. This assignment allowed me to use the DIBELS
Nonsense Word Fluency (NWF) and Phoneme Segmentation Fluency (PSF) assessments, the
DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency (DORF), CORE Vocabulary Screening, CORE Reading Maze
Comprehension Assessment, a formative assessment I created in the content area of History,
and a Proficiency in the Sentence Writing Strategy assessment. Through studying these
Megan Gregory 2
SPED 741: Methods and Assessment: Literacy Interventions for Struggling Learners &
Students with High-Incidence Disabilities
Case Study Assignment
assessments, researching the effectiveness, implementing in my practice, and interpreting my
student’s results, I determined the student’s strengths and weaknesses as well as my own. For
this learning experience, the student became the teacher.
As a result of my hard work and dedication, I received full marks on the assignment as
can be seen from Professor Michael Orosco. There was not feedback to improve or work on
my final paper, so I chose not to revise. I did, however, review again for grammatical and
structural errors. There were none, and though there were also no revision recommendations, I
made sure to examine the assignment carefully to determine if there was any other changes I
wanted to make that might improve the product.
This case study assignment inspired me to think deeply about the strategies we use to
assess our students, specifically in literacy. Our reading capabilities can hinder or support our
future, and it is important we keep that in mind as we guide our students through literacy
instruction. After reflection, I have further realized the importance of our role as special
educators, and how it is our responsibility and duty to help foster a love for literacy in our
children. Through effective practices, supportive assessments, and authentic learning
experiences, I can guide my students along their unique paths to success in life. Of course, I
now have a deep comprehension and keen eye for literacy assessments, in regards to what to
use and when as well as how I can interpret them for application and benefit to my students.
Overall, this assignment was a test to my knowledge and an encouraging factor as I
pursue this degree. As a special educator, I now know that I need to continuously reflect on
my students’ strengths and weaknesses in literacy, and how I can teach, assess, instruct, and
support their needs throughout the time they are in my classroom so that they are successful
beyond it.

Megan Gregory 741 Reflection

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Megan Gregory 1

The purpose of this assignment is to help me gain an in-depth understanding of the

(phonemic awareness, phonics/word study, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) using a

strengths and weaknesses. Also included in this summary is an instructional/intervention plan

to address the student’s reading needs.

My reflection of this assignment revolves around the assessments I implemented and

eagerness to learn through literature.

Comprehension Assessment, a formative assessment I created in the content area of History,

this learning experience, the student became the teacher.

wanted to make that might improve the product.

children. Through effective practices, supportive assessments, and authentic learning

Overall, this assignment was a test to my knowledge and an encouraging factor as I

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