Join us for this 3-part webinar series designed to deepen your understanding and application of Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW).
Led by Magnolia Consultant Dr. George McCloskey, this series is tailored for special educators, school psychologists, learning consultants, and social workers who want to elevate their educational strategies through the practical use of PSW.
Session 1: February 5, 2025. 9:00 AM EST, 90 minutes
Patterns of strengths and weaknesses (PSW) analysis has replaced discrepancy formulas as a means of identifying specific learning disabilities (SLD) in many states and is being proposed in states such as New Jersey that have not yet adopted it. In this professional development session for CST members, we delve into the intricate landscape of PSW. Participants will learn about the theoretical underpinnings of PSW as a means to identify specific processing deficits and how such deficits affect performance on various assessment instruments. They will learn about additional tests or subtests that can be used to further distinguish learning disabilities from underachievement due to other factors. They also will learn how PSW enhances the development of instructional strategies that leverage student strengths and/or compensate for student weaknesses. This session is a pre-requisite for the advanced training offered in sessions 2 and 3 of this series.
Session 2: February 7, 2025. 9:00 AM EST, 90 minutes
In session 2 of this series, participants will review case examples, applying the concepts of PSW analysis, and identify additional assessments that may provide needed data to distinguish SLD from other factors causing learning difficulties. Participants will be expected to apply these concepts to their own cases which will be reviewed in Session 3 of this three-part series. Session 1 is a pre-requisite for attending sessions 2 and 3 of this training series.
Session 3: February 26, 2025. 9:00 AM EST, 90 minutes
In session 3 of this training series, participants will review with the group their own cases, analyzing their students’ test scores for patterns of strengths and weaknesses. The group will discuss eligibility issues based upon PSW analysis vs. discrepancy formula as well as any challenges they encounter in using this method in lieu of or in addition to discrepancy formula. Participants also will discuss instructional implications for the students based upon the patterns revealed in the cases being reviewed. Sessions 1 & 2 are pre-requisites for attending session 3 of this training series.
Register today to secure your spot and enhance your expertise in PSW analysis for educational success!
Speaker
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George McCloskey, Ph.D.George McCloskey, Ph.D. is a professor and Director of School Psychology Research in the School of Professional and Applied Psychology of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and holds Diplomate status with the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology. Dr. McCloskey has amassed 40 years of experience in test development, teaching, research, and assessment and intervention work with a wide range of clients and has presented numerous workshops on the use and interpretation of psychological and neuropsychological assessment instruments for school districts and intermediate units and state, national and international professional associations.
He was a Senior Research Director and the Clinical Advisor to the Wechsler Test Development Group for The Psychological Corporation (now Pearson Assessments) and Associate Director of Test Development for AGS (now Pearson Assessments). He directed the development of the first edition of the KTEA and co-authored the KTEA Error Analysis System and has consulted on the subsequent KTEA revisions and directed the development of the WISC-IV Integrated and consulted on the development of the original WIAT and the WIAT-II.
