STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

FREE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION (FAPE)

Exceptional learners are those who require special education if they are to reach their full human potential.

SOME DISABILITIES ARE PHYSICALLY EVIDENT OTHERS AREN’T

4Allyn and Bacon 2012

PREVALENCE

Approximately 10 in every 100 students are identified as exceptional and receive special education.

Over 5 million students in the U.S. receive special education services.

Changes in prevalence for certain disabilities.

Categories of Disability Under IDEIAAutism Speech or language

impairments

Orthopedic impairments Hearing impairments

Deaf/blindness Traumatic brain injury

Other health impairments Cognitive Disabilities

Developmental delays Visual impairments

Specific learning disabilities Multiple disabilities

Emotional disturbance

5Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

SPECIAL EDUCATION means specially

designed instruction that meets the unusual needs of an exceptional student. Possible forms of

Special Education: Special materials Specialized teaching

techniques Specialized

equipment Related services

SPECIAL EDUCATION IS NOT A PLACE

Levels of integration. How and how much

the student differs from average students.

Resources available in the school and community.

Least Restrictive Environment.

CONTINUUM OF PLACEMENT OPTIONS

7Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

•General Education class only•Special education consultation•Itinerant teacher•Resource teacher•Diagnostic-prescriptive center•Hospital or homebound instruction•Self-contained class•Special day school•Residential school

Most Physically Integrated

Least Physically Integrated

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY ACT

Child Find Zero Reject Free Appropriate

Education Non-discriminatory

assessment Parent Consent and

due process Least Restrictive

Environment

6Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

LEGAL MANDATES

IDEIA Guarantees free

appropriate education to students who are not making adequate educational progress

If the child has a disability that adversely affects educational performance, the child is eligible for special education services under IDEA

Section 504 Plans

“A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.”

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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Aptitude achievement discrepancy

A learning disability can cause a person to have trouble learning and using certain skills. The skills most often affected are: reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning, and doing math.

AUTISM ONE OF FASTEST GROWING CATEGORIES

Wide range of abilities

Majority have cognitive disabilities

Social skills Language

REASONS FOR INCREASE IN DISABILITIES Children living in poverty, poor nutrition Babies born to teenage mothers Babies born to mothers with poor prenatal

care, nutrition Babies born with low birth weight Environmental hazards Children subjected to abuse Cuts in social programs and services

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TEACHER’S ROLES Moderate

proponents Suggest that general

educators take more responsibility for students with disabilities

Radical proponents Recommend that

special education be eliminated as a separate, identifiable part of education

GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHERS’ ROLE Have access to the

individualized education program;

Shall be knowledgeable of the content of the individualized education program; and

Shall be informed specific responsibilities related to implementing a pupil's individualized education program

Understand and implement the specific accommodations, modifications and supports student entitled to. See California Education Code Section 56347

Identify and understand accommodations and modifications specified on the IEP

Ensure that accommodations & modifications are being implemented

ENSURING ACCESS

Grades cannot be reduced for students with IEP and receiving accommodations or specialized instruction.

Modify instruction to meet students needs

Hold student to high expectations

REMEMBER

By the time a students with a disability has been identified he/she has failed academically.

By the time the student reaches middle school or high school—years of failure

QUESTIONS