CDE LEAD-K: Language Milestones Assessment Updates: Strengthening Milestones, Simplifying Use, and Advancing Data Insights Presentation by Cornelia Taylor, Ph.D. & Julie Rems-Smario, Ed.D.
Cornelia Taylor, Ph.D., is the Research Director at the Desired Results Access Project at the Napa County Office of Education, where she leads the development and psychometric validation of the California Department of Education's LEAD-K Language Milestones Assessment and prepares the annual LEAD-K reports required under SB 210. She provides technical leadership on assessment design, data systems, and statewide implementation to ensure that language development for Deaf children is measured accurately and that the resulting data drives meaningful action across California's early care and education systems. Her work bridges psychometrics, special education, and implementation science, with a career-long commitment to equity and to building data systems that improve outcomes for children with and without disabilities.
Julie Rems-Smario, Ed.D. is an Education Programs Consultant in Deaf Education from the Deaf Education Unit at the California Department of Education, State Special Schools & Services Division. She serves as California’s EHDI LEAD-K Co-Coordinator and provides statewide leadership on SB 210 implementation, early language milestones, language assessment, data collection, and systems change to ensure Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, DeafPlus, and Hard-of-Hearing children have equitable access to language acquisition opportunities from birth. Her work centers Deaf-centered leadership, family engagement, and language equity, ASL and English, across early intervention and early childhood education systems.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing chidren and adolescents experience elevated risk for
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