Self-Determination & Expanded Core Curriculum Dr. Karen E. Blankenship Vanderbilt University

self-determination: noun (sèlf´dî-tûr´me-nâ´shen) 1.Determination of one's own fate or course of action without compulsion; 2.Freedom of the people of a given area to determine their own political status; independence. self-determined, adj.-- self-determining, adj. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition (1992). Houghton Mifflin Company.

Self-Determination A combination of skills, knowledge, and beliefs that enable a person to engage in goal-directed, self-regulated, autonomous behavior. An understanding of one’s strengths and limitations together with a belief in oneself as capable and effective are essential to self-determination. When acting on the basis of these skills and attitudes, individuals have greater ability to take control of their lives and assume the role of successful adults in society. Field, Martin, Ward & Wehmeyer (1998)

Model of Self-Determination Environment Know YourselfValue Yourself PLAN ACT EXPERIENCE OUTCOMES & LEARN

Research Agran, Hong, & Blankenship (2007) Lewis & McKenzie (2010) Wehmeyer et al. (2010) International intervention studies

Research Krebs (2002) developed questions for portfolios – What caused my eye condition? – Will my children have a visual impairment? – How many people have my eye condition? – Is there a way to prevent it? – Do kids and adults get this? – How much research has been done on my eye condition? – How can I meet someone with the same visual impairment?

Assessment Tool Copy of SevenComponentsofSelf-D.xlsx

National Standards NationalStandards.pdf

Essential Characteristics of People who are Self-Determined Make choices and decisions as needed Exhibit some personal or internal control over actions Feel capable and act that way Understand the effects of own action

Characteristics of Self-Determined Environment Availability of self-determined role models Curriculum variables Opportunities for choice Patterns of response to student behaviors Availability of student supports Scaffolded instruction was provided in foundational skills

Seven Constructs of Self- Determination (Lane, Carter, & Sisco, 2012) Self- Awareness Self-Advocacy Choice Making Self- Management Self-Knowledge Decision Making Goal Setting

Teachable Skills Choice Making Decision Making Problem-Solving Goal Setting & Attainment Self-Observation, Evaluation, & Reinforcement Self-Instruction, Self- Understanding, Self- Advocacy, & Leadership Positive Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy Self-Awareness Wehmeyer, Agran & Hughes (1998)

Instructional Activities Rachel's resources\Bank of Activities.pdf

Possible Instructional Areas Have students lead IEP team meeting after instruction Instruction in active listening and other assertiveness skill areas such as body language, eye contact, and tone of voice Have students set goals, action steps, and evaluate progress in all academic and ECC content areas. Have students develop electronic portfolio on eye condition and present to class in power point with aligned activities.

Resources (List of assessments & curricula) RECC found at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired website: EVALs/Empowered found at TSBVI curriculum department

Quote If students floated in life jackets for 12 years, would they be expected to swim if the jackets were suddenly jerked away? Probably not. The situation is similar for students receiving vision services. All too often these students are not taught how to self-manage their own lives before they are thrust into the cold water of post-high school reality Martin, 1993