1. 1. Improvement of Practices Ryuta Doi - Special Education Teacher Christopher Neal- General Education Teacher and TVI and OM
2. 2. Our Middle School Declining academic scores- 23% below state average Instructional Spending- Above state average by $1402 per student Declining student attendance Above average class sizes- 27 per class on average 99% of students coming from low income households 92% of our students are Hispanic/ Latino 12% students with disabilities Chronic Truancy Rate: 29%
3. 3. Special Education Provides opportunities for students with disabilities to succeed in school and everyday life Evaluation of students and assessment of needs Offers inclusion in the school community Related services and providers Instruction in a Least Restrictive Environment- Opportunity for instruction among non- disabled student to the greatest extent possible Zero Reject Principle-ALL students must be taught!! Its the Law
4. 4. Special Education is about assisting students with disabilities Special Education is about challenging students with disabilities Special Education is about showing students with disabilities that they are as much a part of school and society as their peers
5. 5. Inclusion Who - General ed. Special ed. Teachers What - Individualized success of students Where - General ed. classroom Why - Increase the success of diverse students
6. 6. General Recommendations Encourage Parental Involvement Volunteering Class Helpers Event Organizers *Present opportunities for students to see their parents participating in their school* Collaboration With Related Services, Teachers, and PARENTS Strategize best ways for instruction Co-Teaching opportunties
7. 7. General Recommendations continued Professional Development Opportunities for teachers to better their craft Additional training in the instruction of students with disabilities Assistive Technology and Materials Continued investment in technology Continued encouragement to teachers and students to use technology Use of modified materials according to disability
8. 8. Behavior and Emotional Disorders Includes but not limited to students with: - Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Conduct Disorders Accompanied by one or more characteristics: 1. Unexplained inability to learn 2. Inability to maintain relationships 3. Inappropriate behaviors 4. Depression 5. Fears (school and personal) Effects educational performance Possible learning disabilities Possible social withdrawal
9. 9. Academic Recommendations Systematic instructional approach by teacher Explicit instructional practices Self Regulated Strategy Development 6 steps 1. Develop background knowledge 2. Discuss 3. Model 4. Memorize 5. Support 6. Independent practice *SRSD is a scientifically proven model for teaching students academic strategies*
10. 10. Addressing Behavior Goal Setting- Keeps students on task. Gives clear vision of what to strive for. Self Talk- Way of students to inwardly talk through task. Differential Reinforcement- Support one form of behavior and not another. Using positive reinforcement to increase appropriate behavior and decreasing or eliminating inappropriate behavior.
11. 11. Intellectual Disability - Mental Functioning - Communication - Learning takes longer - Genetic condition, problems during pregnancy or birth, health - Adaptive functioning
12. 12. IEPs and Special Education What is an Individualized Education Plan? General education classroom Accommodations Adaptive skills
13. 13. Role as Special ed Teacher - Find the good - Talk to general ed teachers - Break longer, small steps, demonstrate, practice, help - Immediate feedback - Team work
14. 14. Students with Visual Impairments Visual impairment ranges from low vision to partially blind/blind Effects academic performance even with modifications for vision correction. Impacts successful completion of tasks Students could have less motivation to explore or pursue their environment Cognitive limitations
15. 15. Academic Recommendations General Ed teachers seek and use support of OM specialist and Teacher of Visual Impairment (TVI) Classroom Room Orientation Accessibility Positioning student with others Safety Instruction Expanded Core Curriculum Knowledge and skills need by students with VI Differentiated Instruction Explicit verbal instructions and descriptions Hand over hand demonstrations Modified materials Larger print text, lecture notes, enlarged pictures, Use of assistive technology
16. 16. Socialization Encourage participation Involve in group work Pursue same interests of peer without VI Promote independence Teach social skills
17. 17. Conclusion The best for every student Inclusion Team work
18. 18. References NICHCY. Parent Center Hub. IDEAs that Work. January 2011. Web. April 28, 2015 from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/fs8.pdf The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2008). SRSD: Using learning strategies to enhance student learning. Retrieved on April 28th, 2015 from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/srs/ The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2005). Instructional accommodations: Making the learning environment accessible to students with visual disabilities. Retrieved on April 28, 2015 from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/v02-successsight/ Project Ideal, Visual Impairments, Project Ideal, April 28, 2015, http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/visual- impairments/ American Foundation for the Blind, Expanded Core Curriculum, American Foundation for the Blind, April 28, 2015, http://www.afb.org/info/programs-and-services/professional-development/teachers/expanded-core-curriculum/the- expanded-core-curriculum/12345 Stetson, Frances. Characteristics of Inclusive Schools. Stetson & Associates, Inc., 2011. Web. April 28, 2015 https://uic.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-4058870-dt-content-rid- 47872562_2/courses/2015.spring.sped.410.23968/Characteristics-of-Inclusive-Schools-Knowing-Doing-Gap.pdf