Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW)
About PSW
Mission
The aim of the SLD-PSW Committee is to define, train, implement, and maintain a transparent process for implementation of the evolution from a discrepancy-based method of eligibility determination to a pattern of strengths and weaknesses model of eligibility determination for specific learning disabilities based on a Response to Intervention (RTI) Model.
Membership
The SLD Committee is chaired by appointment from the DSD Director of Special Education and composed of a core group of representatives from the following disciplines:
- Related Services Administration
- School Psychology
- Speech and Language Pathology
- Special Education-Elementary Resource Instruction
- Special Education-Secondary Resource Instruction
- Special Education-Learning Center Administration
- Special Education-Mild/Moderate Administration
- Local Educational Administration-Elementary
- Local Educational Administration-Secondary
In addition, multiple stakeholders and department trainers will be involved during key decision points and implementation processes.
SLD Resources
Eligibility Examples
- Screencast of PSW Walkthrough (1 of 2)
- Screencast of PSW Walkthrough (2 of 2)
- Sample Eligibility Form
Graphing Tools
- Manual Graph - Power Point
- Automatic Graph - Self-Graphing Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses Chart Creator - A Self Graphing Tool for Excel
Policy and Support Documents
- Policy Document
- Basic Psychological Processes and Academic Alignments
- SPELL Referral Document
- Areas of Processing Deficit and their Link to Areas of Academic Achievement
- Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us for Additional Support:
- Email questions to psw@dsdmail.net
- Call Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00 - Call 801-402-5151 and you will be transferred to someone who can answer your questions.
School Board Presentation
Training
OCTOBER CONE MEETING 2016
- Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses: Update, Review, and Case Examples - Joseph Viskochil
- Special Education English Language Learners and Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses - Dawn Sheen
- Language Disorder and the Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist - Jocelyn Taylor
- Legal Updates - Kathy Chisholm
- Supplementary Resources
- Screencast of PSW Walkthrough (1 of 2)
- Screencast of PSW Walkthrough (2 of 2)
- Sample Eligibility Form
- Blank Graphs (ppt)
- Automatic Graph - Self-Graphing Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses Chart Creator - A Self Graphing Tool for Excel
- Policy Document
- SPELL Referral Document
- Areas of Processing Deficit and their Link to Areas of Academic Achievement
- Email questions to psw@dsdmail.net
- Call Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00 - Call 801-402-5151 and you will be transferred to someone who can answer your questions.
Opening Session
SPRING 2016
LEA Training (Spring 2016)
May 2016 Training
Areas of Processing Deficit and their Link to Areas of Academic Achievement