Kierra is joined in this episode by Dr. Desiree Vega to discuss best practices in the assessment of English Language Learners (ELL). The women discuss the importance of the pre-referral process, the legal ramifications of different eligibility models, dynamic assessment, and consultation approaches. 

Dr. Desiree Vega is currently a faculty member in the School Psychology program at the University of Arizona. She holds a masters and doctorate in School Psychology from The Ohio State University. Her predoctoral internship was completed through the Nebraska Internship Consortium with Omaha Public Schools. Dr. Vega worked as a bilingual school psychologist with Omaha Public Schools for three years before she began her academic career. She was a faculty member at Texas State University prior to joining the University of Arizona.

Dr. Vega’s research focuses on three primary areas: 1) The assessment of culturally and linguistically diverse students, 2) Identification of factors that contribute to the academic success of African American and Latino youth and 3) the role of School Psychologists in the access to higher education among urban youth.