COE 6373 - Vocational Assessment
(Credit : 3 semester hours)
Catalog Description:
Vocational assessment of special needs persons.
Text:
Power, P. (2006). A guide to vocational assessment. (4th Edition). Austin,
TX: Pro-Ed.
Instructional Objectives:
To provide students with a knowledge of the:
1. current trends in rehabilitation practices that influence vocational
assessment
2. the role of assessment in the rehabilitation process
3. current conceptualization of vocational evaluation
4. target areas and components of vocational assessment
5. need for a personal philosophy of assessment that lays the foundation
for everyday practice
6. different roles that can be adopted by the rehabilitation professional
during assessment
7. expected competencies for the counselor as an evaluator.
Topics to be covered:
1. Issues for developing effective vocational assessment
2. Interviewing as an effective assessment tool
3. Interest assessment
4. Intelligence testing
5. Personality assessment
6. Achievement and Aptitude assessment
7. Work Samples and Transferable Skills assessment
8. Computer-assisted assessment
9. Assessment with an environmental focus
10. Assessment of industrially injured workers
11. Interpreting assessment information
12. Rehabilitation planning
Methods of Instruction:
Lecture, group activities, class discussion, and guest lecturers
Student Activities:
Students will:
1. participate in class discussions and presentations.
2. present & conduct one (1) assessment (in class) using a measure of
their choice.
3. complete one (1) Analysis of Vocational Issues paper (5 page
minimum).
4. complete seven (7) course examinations/quizzes.
Evaluation of Student Progress:
Students will have the opportunity to earn up to one hundred-fifty(150)
points during the semester. Point totals for the assignments are as
follows:
10 points Class participation
30 points Instrument Administration
40 points Analysis of Issues Paper
70 points Quizzes (10 points x 7 quizzes)
150 points Total
Grading criteria:
136 - 150 points = A
121 - 135 points = B
106 - 120 points = C
91 - 105 points = D
< 91 points = F
Evaluation & Criteria for Analysis of Vocational Issues Paper (40
points)
The purpose of this activity is to encourage in-depth investigation of
important issues in the future of vocational assessment. The following are
suggestions and
are provided to stimulate possible areas to explore.
* What are the newest instruments being developed for vocational
assessment?
* What areas of client ability are not being sufficiently assessed? How
does the literature suggest correcting this?
* What instruments are currently being used which perhaps should not be?
How does the literature suggest correcting this?
* What impact are computers likely to produce in the future of vocational
assessment?
* Where is the field of Vocational Assessment headed for in the future?
In writing this paper, keep in mind that I want the literature used as a
"crystal ball". If a current "problem" is identified, what are the likely
solutions (based on
the voc assess literature). Where appropriate, discuss the "trends" in
vocational assessment and where they are leading us.
The Issues Paper will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Content - comprehensiveness, appropriateness, quality.......(30%)
Evidence of critical
analysis.................................................(15%)
Organization & logical development of materials..................(15%)
Documentation - form and adequacy of resources/references...(10%)
Clarity of
communication.......................................................(10%)
Quality of writing - grammar, spelling,
etc............................(10%)
Use of APA Publication guidelines (4th Edition)...................(10%)
Note: Specific Criteria for Issues Paper
* Five (5) page minimum (not including cover and references)
* Five (5) external references sources (minimum)
* Double spaced
* 12 point font
* 1" margins (top, sides, and bottom)
Procedure for Instrument Administration (30 points)
Depending on the total class enrollment, this project will either be
individual or dyad. Students/teams will:
1. be randomly assigned to a vocational assessment category.
2. choose an assessment measure/inventory from that category.
3. make a brief (10 minute) presentation of relevant information (purpose,
situational uses, norms/validity, etc.).
4. provide your classmates a detailed, presentation outline.
5. administer said measure to the class.
Points will be awarded as follows - 20 points for presentation & 10 points for outline.
Attendance and Participation (10 points)
* Each student is an integral component to the success and educational
properties of this class.
* Each person's presence and participation in class is desired and
required.
Accommodations:
Qualified students needing academic accommodation are required by law to
initiate the request process. If arrangements have not been made and there
is
a documented need for accommodation, my office hours and telephone numbers are
included at the end of this syllabus.
Caveat:
The information and schedule of events contained in this syllabus are subject
to change due to a variety of social and/or environmental variables.
Instructor:
Charles D. Palmer, Ph.D., C.R.C.
Associate Professor, Clinincal and Rehabilitation Program
Coordinator
Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology
Box 9727, 508 Allen Hall
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662)325-7917 (voice)
(662)325-3263 (fax)
E-mail - cpalmer@colled.msstate.edu
Website: http://www2.msstate.edu/~cpalmer
Office Hours: By appointment
COURSE CALENDAR
Session #1
Orientation & Intro to Vocational Assessment
Session #2
Perspectives & Issues in Vocational Assessment
Chs. 1 and 2
Session #3
Interviewing & Select Concepts
Chs. 4 and 5
Quiz #1
Session #4
Interest, Intelligence & Personality Assessment
Quiz #2
Chs. 6-8
Session #5
Achievement & Aptitude, Work Samples, Situational Assessment & Transfer
Skills
Quiz #3
Chs. 9 and 10
Session #6
Computer Assessment & Environmental Focus
Quiz #4
Chs. 11 and 12
Session #7
Rehab Professional, Consumer & Industrial Injuries
Quiz #5
Chs 14 and 15
Session #8
Interpretation of Assessment & Rehab Planning
Team Presentations
Quiz #6 and Issues Paper
Chs. 13 and 16