Over the TOPS: Designing Curriculum Adaptations Presented by CLIU Educational Consultants

The need to make curricular adaptations… Students who are unable to use textbooks and instructional materials in a traditional way may need accessible instructional materials (AIM)in order to have meaningful and equal access to the general education curriculum. Such access is guaranteed in federal education statutes, such as the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)as well as in Pennsylvania Special Education Regulations: Chapter 14 for school districts and Chapter 711 for charter schools. Local education agencies are required to take all reasonable steps to provide instructional materials in accessible formats to children with disabilities who need those instructional materials at the same time as other children receive instructional materials. (IDEA 2004, Section (b) (4) Access to Instructional Materials)

Quick glance at number of students who may need instructional materials in alternative formats 55,200 children in the US are legally blind 26,352 children ages 6 – 21 are served under IDEA’s category of “Visual Impairment” 61,866 children ages 6 – 21 are served under “Orthopedic Impairments” 599,494 children ages 6 – 21 are served under “Other Health Impairments” 131,682 children ages 6 – 21 are served under “Multiple Disabilities” 2,710,476 children ages 6 – 21 are served under “Specific Learning Disabilities”

Role of the IEP Team As part of the IEP process, the IEP team is responsible for determining whether a student is in need of AIM. Because some team members may be unfamiliar with the various types of accessible instructional materials, particularly those derived from digital formats, it is important for teams to ask thoughtful questions when determining a student's need for AIM. During the IEP team meeting, the team should consider the student's needs for accessible, alternate format versions of print instructional materialsIEP

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) UDL removes barriers to learning by anticipating needs of ALL students –Multiple means of representation –Multiple means of expression –Multiple means of action and engagement

The Standards - UDL- IEP Connection Standards are for all learners UDL assumes that students with varying needs will be involved in learning, and that the curriculum goals, methods, materials, and assessments need to address this diversity. The IEP articulates those goals, derived from assessment, and specially designed instruction incorporates flexible, effective means for reaching those goals.

Program Modifications and Specially Designed Instruction SDI is based on identified student needs. SDI connects to the goal, which comes from needs identified in present levels, which comes from assessment. Standards Aligned Assessmen t Present Educational Levels of Academic Achievement Standards Aligned IEP Goals Specially Designed Instruction Progress Monitorin g

Carousel What current modifications/adaptations are you making?

Considerations Visual Access Auditory Access Kinesthetic/Sensory Access Motor Access Cognitive Access

Low Tech Solutions Reading Writing Manipulatives

Computer-based Solutions Reading Writing Manipulatives

CAST UDL Resources: Teaching Every Student website provides information, activites and materials on the theory and practical application of Universal Design for Learning in every classroom. Book content is available in multiple formats and case studies provide annotated lessons that demonstrate how UDL can be incorporated into standards-based lessons. Getting to know you the UDL way: =1 Preparing an Indian Meal is one choice in this UDL activity that explores the different ways learners recognize, express and engage informationhttp:// =1 UDL Guidelines site provides tools and an annotated outline to guide and support educators in evaluating their curriculum. A downloadable checklist is available at ator_Checklist_ doc ator_Checklist_ doc

CAST UDL Tools: FREE UDL Editions by CAST UDL Editions by CAST are classic texts from world literature presented in a flexible online interface that provides just-in- time, individualized supports for struggling readers, and added-value features that engage novice and expert readers alike. CAST Book Builder Explore model books and books in the shared library, as well as create, read, and share engaging digital books that build reading skills for students with Book Builder. Your universally designed books will engage and support diverse learners according to their individual needs, interests, and skills. CAST Strategy Tutor A free online tool to support students and teachers doing reading and research on the Internet, ages 10 and up. Strategy Tutor helps students read, research, collect and understand information better and more efficiently and supports teachers in creating universally designed and supported lessons using internet content.

CAST UDL Tools: FREE CAST UDL Curriculum Self Check UDL Curriculum Self Check helps you apply UDL principles in your teaching to reach and engage all of your students. The goal of UDL is to enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for learning. Learn about UDL, Check Your Curriculum, or Explore Resources for ideas on how to build options and flexibility into each element of your curriculum. CAST UDL Lesson Builder UDL Lesson Builder provides educators with models and tools to create and adapt lessons that increase access and participation in the general education curriculum for all students.

CAST UDL Tools: Commercially Available: Wiggleworks: The first universally designed literacy series for beginning readers and writers is now available in Spanish and is compatible with Windows Vista and Macintosh OS X. With an award-winning blend of literature, technology, and teacher support, WiggleWorks was first developed Scholastic and CAST in the early 1990s. Produced and distributed by Scholastic.Scholastic Thinking Reader: Based on CAST's research into digital learning environments and the research of renowned reading experts, Thinking Reader provides middle-school students with instruction and practice in key reading strategies. Using unabridged novels Tuck Everlasting and The Bridge to Terabithia, this universally designed resource enables struggling readers to read the same high-quality books as their peers. Produced and distributed by Tom Snyder Productions, a division of Scholastic.