Developmental Writing Scale: Inform Instruction and Measure Outcomes for Students With Complex Learning Needs

There is growing appreciation of the need for quality literacy instruction for students with complex learning needs (CLN). At last educators are seeking academic measures to drive and align instruction with standards and measure progress. Across the age-span students with significant disabilities often present as beginning writers and demonstrate a mismatch between performance and grade level standards. Educators need solid knowledge of the connections among standards, curricula, and student abilities, and needs. The purpose of this presentation will be to show the uses and power of the Developmental Writing Scale (DWS) in highlighting gains and driving instruction for individuals with significant disabilities. Participants will see how this data enables changes in mindset that written language is an important form of communication for ALL individuals.