What is Curriculum-Based Measures (CBM)

Recent data indicates the growing diversity rift between student populations and teaching faculty as over 86% of current faculty are White, female, and under 40 years of age. This rift presents challenges to new teachers attempting to meet the needs of diverse students, including the delivery of rigorous academic content to individuals who are emerging bilinguals, designing appropriate supports to address challenging behaviors, and distinguishing cultural/linguistic differences from genuine disability indicators in struggling students. This chapter will review the establishment of the special education system and examine outcomes associated with traditional assessment practices, discuss the conceptualization of disability categories under federal legislation, and offer recommendations teachers can implement to better understand and address learning/behavioral needs in diverse populations.