Diagnostic and Prescriptive Unit

Overview
The Diagnostic and Prescriptive Unit evaluates and develops instructional programs for students’ K-12.  The students generally referred to the DPU are complex learners who have puzzled teachers because they have not responded to traditional regular education or special education programming. They have been evaluated by a variety of disciplines, but are still not understood. Evaluation, consultation and inservice training services are available on a contractual basis to component districts and BOCES special education programs.

Services
Evaluation: takes a diagnostic teaching approach involving students in instruction throughout the session. The assessment battery measures a range of functions related to reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Emphasis is placed on how the student responds to specific instructional techniques, resulting in an estimate of the student’s learning potential. Because of the emphasis on teaching, recommendations relate directly to classroom instruction. Written reports and interpretive conferences follow each evaluation to the appropriate school staff and the parents.

Consultation: is available on an individual or program-wide basis as a support to teachers for “hard to teach” students.

Program Consultations: provide ongoing collaborative support to programs at all levels. DPU staff attends building team meetings on a regular basis so they can become an integral part of the system. They provide group and individual problem solving, researching available curriculum materials and programs, involvement in transition teams for high school students, and brainstorming alternative instructional techniques.

Individual Consultations: provide case-by-case support to teachers regarding individual students. Many cases do no warrant additional testing or diagnostic teaching, but do require expertise in interpreting current testing data, reviewing specific instructional recommendations, and providing assistance to teachers in their classrooms in developing and implementing instructional techniques and strategies.

Inservice Training: based on current research and best practice to assist districts to meet the needs of diverse learners. They may request specific training or participate in one of the standard training sessions such as:

• Strategy Instruction
• Comprehensive Reading Workshop for Students Who Are Hard to Teach
• Techniques for Successful Inclusion
• Understanding the Brain and Implications for Assessment and Instruction
• Enhancing Listening in the Classroom