In the educational field, a scribe is an individual who writes down answers for a student who is physically or mentally challenged to the point they cannot write legibly or are incapable of spelling the necessary words. A scribe is most generally used during a testing period such as the Standardize tests that are mandatory for each State. The need for a scribe is determined by the Special Education teacher. They possess the information required to make the decision.
Step 1 – Determine the students within the classroom that are designated special needs and have an Individual Education Plan, also known as an IEP.
Step 2 – Read through the IEP to determine if a scribe is specified for the child during testing. Testing includes standardized tests, classroom tests and quizzes.
Step 3 – Request a scribe from the student’s assigned Special Education teacher.
Step 4 – Make a list of possible candidates that could benefit from the use of a scribe.
Step 5 – Evaluate each student on the list for grade level development, hand writing skills and comprehension.
Step 6 – Read through each IEP and locate the portion of the plan that states whether the child would benefit from a scribe during testing.
Step 7 – Follow the IEP guidelines for those students who are designated for scribe usage.
Step 8 – Mark the list for all students who are required by State law to use a scribe during testing. For those students who do not specifically require a scribe, set up a meeting with the parents, administrator and the student’s teachers in their assigned classes.
Step 9 – Communicate during a group meeting on the benefits of a scribe for each student. Determine if the student needs to have their IEP adjusted to state they should have a scribe during testing.
Step 10 – Allow the students to have a scribe during testing without formal documentation, if time does not allow for the paperwork to be completed prior to the test.
References:
Kid’s Health: Individualized Education Program [http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/iep.html]
TBI.org: Developing Functional IEPs [http://www.tbi.org/library/html/developing_functional_ieps.html]
P12.NYSED.gov: Test Access and Accountability[http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/testaccess/guidance.htm]