The McDermott Multidimensional Assessment of Children: Contribution To the Development of Individualized Educational Programs

Abstract

The McDermott Multidimensional Assessment of Children (M-MAC) is a comprehensive microcomputer system for the objective integration and analysis of information obtained from over 30 psychological and educational sources. It provides both multidimensional classifications of child exceptionality and detailed individualized educational programs (IEP). M-MAC's IEP functions are introduced and reviewed in this paper as a follow-up to the classification functions covered in an earlier study. Specifically, M-MAC is reviewed in light of those characteristics regarded as requisites to an acceptable system intended for the design of remedial education plans. These characteristics include a clear link between assessment results and the design of IEPs, use of performance-based objectives, embodiment of a basic-skills orientation, hierarchical sequencing of objectives, individualization of remedial programs, methodological versatility, and ultimate control by appropriate educational specialists. M-MAC's various programming features for tailoring IEPs to meet children's unique needs also are discussed.