The Center for Professional Development
Home and School Visitor Certificate Courses
- English Language Learners: The Role of the School Social Worker
- Psychological Testing for Social Workers (Part I)
- Psychological Testing for Social Workers (Part II)
These courses are open to all, with students enrolled in the Home and School Visitor Certificate program granted enrollment priority.
Both courses offer CEUs and Act 48 credit (NOTE: Act 48 credits may be applied only to an existing PDE certification and not to courses taken in the pursuit of the HSV Certificate).
B5020*
English Language Learners: The Role of the School Social Worker
Course Fee - $375
Two Saturday classes; plus student-arranged ESL classroom visit and ESL instructor interview
Classroom dates Sept. 28 and Nov.9 - 9am-3:30pm
18 CEUs - 18 Act 48 credits
Reading Requirement: Materials/assignments will be distributed in advance of this course, with the expectation that students will review the readings prior to attending the first session. There may be a small fee associated with these readings.
This course introduces candidates in the Home-School Visitor Certificate Program to the current issues, policies and procedures associated with English as a Second Language Programs and the education of English language learners as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The first classroom session introduces students to basic ESL programming considerations and educational models, second language acquisition, the Pennsylvania English Language Proficiency Standards and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) assessment of ELLs. The second classroom session is devoted to discussion of student-scheduled classroom visit and instructor interview experiences that take place in the interim between the two classroom sessions. Participants develop a clearer understanding of the issues that impact ESL programs, as well as how to address the difficult challenges facing ELL students, teachers, families and school communities.
Linnea Iles, is ESL Facilitator in the English as a Second Language Program of the Manheim Central School District.
B5000
Psychological Testing for School Social Workers (Part I)
Saturday, February 2, 2013 - 12:30-5:30pm - $110
5 CEUs - 5 Act 48 credits
Reading Requirement: Get Smart about Tests: The Essential Parent and Teacher's Guide to Understanding Children's Educational and Psychological Testing.
Author: Joseph D. Rocchio, Ph.D.,Copyright 2011.
Assigned Chapters: 1 (Welcome to the World of Testing, 2 (What Do All the Numbers Mean?), & 3 (Intelligence Tests)
Social workers can potentially play a key role in supporting students and their families throughout the process of a psychological evaluation, in making sense of reports, and in ensuring that students’ strengths and needs are understood. In this course, participants are introduced to issues in school-based psychological testing, and learn how to assist families in understanding assessment results, with specific attention to the assessment of cognitive functioning and development in children and adolescents. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children IV is described and demonstrated, as are other commonly-used cognitive measures. The historical context of psychological testing is also discussed. Upon completion of Part I of this course, participants will have learned: (1) the role of norm-referenced testing within the broader process of comprehensive, ecologically-based assessment (2) to define psychometric concepts as they apply directly to the use of major tests; and (3) to assist parents in understanding psychological test results. No prior experience in conducting psychological assessments or interpreting test data is required for this course. There will be a brief quiz on the assigned readings at the beginning of Part II. This two-part course is required for those in the Home and School Visitor Certificate program.
Joan Manhardt, PhD, is a licensed and
certified school psychologist. She conducts evaluations and
provides psychological services for a local public school district
B5010
Psychological Testing for School Social Workers (Part II)
Saturday, February 16, 2013 – 12:30-5:30pm -
$110
5 CEUs - 5 Act 48 credit
Reading Requirement: Get Smart about Tests: The Essential Parent and Teacher's Guide to Understanding Children's Educational and Psychological Testing.
Author: Joseph D. Rocchio, Ph.D.,Copyright 2011
Assigned Chapters: 4 (Proficiency and Achievement Tests), 7 (Other
Useful Tests), & 9 (Frequently Asked Questions About Testing)
Drawing
on the foundation provided in Part I of this course, Part II addresses
issues in intelligence testing, including the major forms of test bias,
and introduces participants to guidelines for culturally competent
school-based consultation. Also explored are tests of information
processing, academic achievement, and social/emotional functioning
currently used in schools, as well as links between assessment and
intervention in a school context. The impact of federal IDEA
legislation on the identification of learning disabilities is discussed.
Upon completion of Part II of this course, participants: (1)
understand the cultural issues and biases inherent in the use of
standardized tests; (2) are familiar with issues in identification of
students’ needs within public school systems; (3) continue to learn and
practice how to speak with parents and students about the results and
reports of psychological test findings. A brief quiz is administered
during this session that covers previously assigned readings. Completion
of Part I of this course is a prerequisite for enrollment in Part II.
Both sessions are required for students in the Home and School Visitor
Certificate program.
Joan Manhardt, PhD, is a licensed and
certified school psychologist. She conducts evaluations and provides
psychological services for a local public school district
