Making Assessment Equitable for Learners on an Alternate Curriculum

Jolan Smith, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling at CSU, Long Beach where she teaches courses on assessment of students with disabilities, transition planning and collaboration, and collaborative models of education for secondary schools. She graduated from the Joint Doctoral Program in Special Education at CSULA and UCLA.  Dr. Smith earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stanford University, and a Master’s degree in special education with a concentration on moderate-severe disabilities from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She was a high school special education teacher for nine years, serving low-income high school students with emotional disturbance, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other health impairments in traditional public schools, non-public schools, and home settings. Dr. Smith’s research interests include underserved minority students and families in special education, juvenile justice-involved youth with developmental disabilities, and cultural considerations in the transition to post-secondary.