Arena Assessment: Description and Preliminary Social Validity Data

Abstract

This paper describes the arena assessment approach which is an extension of the transdisciplinary team model into assessment activities. Social validation data are presented comparing two assessment procedures: the traditional interdisciplinary team approach and the arena approach. Parents and staff members who participated in both approaches responded to questionnaires about the two models. In terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and affective variables, they rated the arena model equal to or higher than the traditional interdisciplinary model. The limitations of the study and issues for further research are described.