Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (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. 

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
  • Training Video for Automatic Graph
  • Sample of the Self-Graphing Tool

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.

 

SLD PSW + RTI Board Proposal Resources

• Overview of Specific Learning Disabilities Pattern of Strengths (PSW) and Response to Intervention (RTI) Model
• Proposed Policy Document 
• Three Year Summary of Students by Disability
• Utah State Board of Education Special Education Rules

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
    • Training Video for Automatic Graph
    • Sample of the Self-Graphing Tool
  • Policy Document
    • Basic Psychological Processes and Academic Alignments
  • 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

Fall 2016 PSW Update 

SPRING 2016

LEA Training (Spring 2016)

May 2016 Training

• Power Point Hand Out
• Policy Document
• Sample Handouts
• Original Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Blank Graphs (ppt) 

Areas of Processing Deficit and their Link to Areas of Academic Achievement 

Fall 2016 PSW Update

• Screencast of PSW Walkthrough (1 of 2) 
• Screencast of PSW Walkthrough (2 of 2)