Essential Elements Flashcards

What are Essential Elements (EE) in DLM assessments?

Answer: Skills aligned to general academic standards, simplified for accessibility

Essential Elements (EE) are a crucial component of the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) assessment system. They represent specific academic skills that are aligned to a state's general academic content standards but are simplified and broken down into more accessible steps. This adaptation allows students with significant cognitive disabilities to engage with and demonstrate understanding of grade-level content in a meaningful way.

Which statement about Essential Elements (EE) is TRUE?

Answer: They ensure students with disabilities work on the same academic concepts as their peers.

Essential Elements (EE) are specifically designed to bridge the gap between general education standards and the learning needs of students with significant cognitive disabilities. By aligning with general academic standards while simplifying the concepts, EEs ensure that these students are exposed to and assessed on the same academic concepts as their typically developing peers. This promotes access to the general education curriculum and supports their academic growth.

What type of skills do Essential Elements typically target?

Answer: Foundational academic skills and functional understanding

Essential Elements (EE) in DLM assessments are specifically designed to target foundational academic skills and functional understanding. For students with significant cognitive disabilities, the focus is on mastering core concepts and practical applications rather than advanced theoretical knowledge. This approach ensures that the assessments are relevant and appropriate for their learning profiles, promoting meaningful progress in key academic areas.

How are Essential Elements different from standard academic standards?

Answer: They break down concepts into smaller, more accessible steps.

Essential Elements (EE) differ from standard academic standards primarily in their structure and accessibility. While both are aligned to grade-level content, EEs break down complex concepts into smaller, more manageable, and accessible steps. This scaffolding allows students with significant cognitive disabilities to gradually build understanding and demonstrate mastery of academic content that might otherwise be inaccessible.

Which is an example of an Essential Element in Mathematics?

Answer: Recognizing numbers up to 10

An Essential Element in Mathematics, particularly for students with significant cognitive disabilities, focuses on foundational skills. Recognizing numbers up to 10 is a prime example of such a skill, as it is a fundamental building block for all subsequent mathematical understanding. This contrasts with more advanced concepts like writing proofs or solving complex equations, which are typically beyond the scope of Essential Elements.