Special Education is a service, not a place IDEA and NCLB have changed the focus on access to the general curriculum from WHERE to: WHAT, a focus on what the student is taught (curriculum mastery) AND HOW, a focus on methods and pedagogy

Required Components of Every Individualized Education Program The students present level of performance Measurable annual goals How will progress be measured Special education services, related and supplementary services An explanation of the extent to which the student will not participate in the general education setting Individual, appropriate accommodations used to measure the student’s outcomes on state and district assessments The projected beginning date for services When a child turns 14, a transition plan

IEP Hunt With a partner Go over the IEP and answer the following questions Take a look at the MAGs sheet- Do these goals meet the requirements?

Chapter 3 Today’s Multicultural, Bilingual, and Diverse Schools

What is Culture? Culture is the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; a shared way of life

Factors Associated with Disproportionate Representation and Educational Equality Racial/Ethnic Considerations Language Considerations Poverty Considerations Relationships Among Race/Ethnicity, Language, and Poverty Majority Values State/federal Policy Factors Community Factors School Factors Family Factors Student Factors

Becoming a Culturally Responsive Teacher and Advocate Enhancing your Self-awareness Increasing your knowledge and Experiences of Other Cultures Advocating for Systems Change Implementing Culturally Responsive Instruction Use the Adapted Posture of Cultural Reciprocity Incorporate Five Components for Delivering Culturally Responsive Instruction Capitalize Upon Instructional Consultation Teams Implement Response to Intervention

Chapter 4 Today’s Families and Their Partnerships with Professionals

Who Are Today’s Families? Similarities among families with and without disabilities Differences among families with and without disabilities Income Education level Household composition

What Are Partnerships and Why Are They Important? Partnerships are important because they: Foster trust Stimulate student achievement Enhance families’ quality of life

How Do Children with Exceptionalities Affect Their Families’ Quality of Life? Mothers’ stress and depression when raising a child with a disability Emotional well-being Parenting Family interaction Physical/material well-being Disability-related support

Emotional Well-Being Encourage parents to be involved with other parents Be available to parents outside of regular school hours

Parenting Parenting is strong when families can help their child: Learn to be independent With schoolwork and activities Get along with others With individual needs

Family Interaction Families who have high levels of family interaction: Enjoy spending time together Talk openly with each other Solve problems together Show they love and care for each other

Physical/Material Well- Being This can include the ability of families to: Access transportation Pay expenses Feel safe at home, work, school, and in the neighborhood Obtain medical and dental help when needed

Disability-Related Support Some aspects of disability-related support help the student to: Achieve goals at school or work Make progress at home Make friends Have a good relationships between family and service providers

How Can You Form Partnerships with Families? Seven principles of partnerships: Communication Professional Competence Respect Commitment Equality Advocacy Trust

Communication Five practices for effective communication: Be friendly Listen Be clear Be honest Provide and coordinate information

Professional Competence Three practices associated with professional competence: Provide a quality education Continue to learn Set high expectations

Respect Professionals who demonstrate respect: Honor cultural diversity Affirm strengths Treat students and families with dignity

Commitment A committed professional will: Be available and accessible Go “above and beyond” Be sensitive to emotional needs

Equity Professionals who seek equality in partnerships: Share power Foster empowerment Provide options

Advocacy To be an effective advocate, professionals will: Seek win-win solutions Use skilled dialogue Prevent problems Keep one’s conscience primed Pinpoint and document challenges Form alliances

Trust Four practices associated with being a trusted partner: Be reliable Use sound judgment Maintain confidentiality Trust yourself