In this week’s episode of the Empower LEP Podcast, host Jana Parker welcomes Dr. Ed Schultz, the brilliant and enthusiastic mind behind the Core Selective Evaluation Process (C-SEP). Dr. Schultz is passionate about revolutionizing how we identify Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) by cutting through outdated, complex testing methods and focusing on what truly matters. As a professor of special education, trainer, and consultant, Dr. Schultz brings a wealth of knowledge on making evaluations more efficient and meaningful for students and educators alike.

You’ll hear all about Dr. Schultz’s C-SEP approach, which focuses on using a core set of tests to identify patterns of strengths and weaknesses without overburdening students with unnecessary assessments. He emphasizes the power of achievement data and the importance of understanding the task demands of each test, challenging traditional reliance on cognitive assessments alone. Dr. Schultz also explores hot topics like the role of cognitive testing in dyslexia assessments, the debate around vision therapy, and why ensuring evaluations reflect real-world learning is key.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Schultz shares personal stories from his career, from working with students in mental health settings to developing innovative approaches to SLD identification. He stresses the importance of focusing on ecological validity, ensuring that what happens in the testing room connects to what’s actually going on in the classroom. Dr. Schultz’s practical advice will help LEPs, school psychologists, and educators streamline their evaluation process and make their work more impactful.

This high-energy episode is packed with info and ideas for anyone looking to rethink their approach to assessments, reduce the testing burden, and truly support students’ learning. If you’re ready for a fresh perspective on educational evaluations, you won’t want to miss this conversation. 

Catch Episode 38 of the Empower LEP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us reach more LEPs and educators!

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The website for this show is https://empowerleppodcast.com/

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