Know your state's criteria
There are many benefits of using a curriculum-based measure such as AEPS® for eligibility determination, and it is important to understand your state's requirements to be able to take advantage of them. Many states recognize the value of curriculum-based assessment, but some still require a standardized norm-referenced assessment that produces standard deviations or percent delay to determine whether a child is eligible for services. In those cases, AEPS can often be used as a second corroborating source for eligibility.
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1 ASSESSMENT = 2 RESULTS
eligibility + intervention planning A number of states have recognized the benefits of criterion-referenced, curriculum-based assessments (CBAs). While norm-referenced instruments produce age equivalencies that can be used to determine percent delay or standard deviation from the mean, CBAs offer the added value of informing goal and intervention planning.
AEPS is currently the only CBA with empirically derived The developers of AEPS have used a research methodology called Item Response Theory (IRT) to produce empirically validated cutoff scores for determining eligibility. Although the cutoff scores derived from IRT analyses are calculated differently from SD or percent delay, research indicates they are as accurate as norm-referenced tests at identifying those children who should be eligible for services. DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE for instructions on how to use the AEPS cutoff scores to determine or corroborate eligibility |
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Other states accept informed clinical judgment and/or a reliable, valid instrument as a basis for eligibility decisions, in which case AEPS is an ideal choice. In addition to informing clinical judgment with accurate test results, AEPS will save you the time and expense of having to administer separate tests for eligibility and for developing IFSP/IEP goals and planning intervention, and, most important, AEPS will improve outcomes for the children who do qualify for services.
How to use AEPS for eligibility
Empirically validated cutoff scores help you determine if a child has a delay and should receive services. Simply compare the child's AEPS area goal score with the corresponding cutoff. If the child's AEPS score falls below the cutoff, the child's development is determined as delayed. Extensive research shows that the cutoff scores are highly accurate in identifying children eligible for services and work well to corroborate findings of standardized, norm-referenced tests.
One-click eligibility report with AEPSinteractive™
AEPS eligibility cutoff scores are programmed into AEPSi and automatically compared with AEPS Test results and your state's eligibility criteria. When the test is complete, simply select the "Eligibility Cutoff Scores Report" from the menu of child reports to see if the child's scores fall above or below the cutoff. The report also indicates whether your state will accept the results for eligibility determination—either alone or as a corroborating second source.
