1. JAMAICA TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION EDUCATION CONFERENCE Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort Runaway Bay, St. Ann MARCH 29 – 31, 2016 THEME EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING: BRIDGING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS PRESENTER Dr. Polly Bowes-Howell, O.D., J.P. Education Consultant, Early Childhood/Special Education Chairman, Special Education Committee, JTA

2. TOPIC

3. AREA OF FOCUS THE BIG QUESTION??? WHAT CAN WE DO AS EDUCATORS TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES?

4. EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Include all children Physical attributes and or learning abilities differ from the norm – either above or below These children make up 10% - 15% of school-age children Remember: Children differ in ability levels, strengths/weakness, ages, learning styles, pace of learning, personality, temperament.

5. THE EDUCATIONAL BELL CURVE

6. ONE SHOE DOES NOT FIT ALL

7. WHERE CAN THESE CHILDREN BE SERVED OR EDUCATED? Pull in programme Pull out programme In the regular classroom setting where children with mild disabilities and children without disabilities learn together and interact We call this INCLUSION

8. WHERE CAN THESE CHILDREN BE SERVED OR EDUCATED? (Cont’d.) Research strongly supports the inclusion of student with exceptionalities as a way of dealing with the more diverse population we encounter in today’s classrooms (Bennett 2006).

9. The following presentation will provide you with suggestions on how to meet the needs of: a) All learners in the classroom b) How to balance between content, cover page (subject-centred) and process (student-centred). The product or the outcomes will show signs of Bridging the Achievement Gaps now being experienced.

10. THE ACT OF LEARNING

11. THE BRAIN

13. CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS… differ in ability, levels, strengths, weaknesses, ages, learning styles, pace of learning, personality and temperament

15. REFERENCES Freed, J., & Parsons, L. (1998). Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World Simon & Schuster. New York, NY. Hallahan, D. P. & Kauffman, et al (2001). Exceptional Learners – An Introduction to Special Education. Pearson Education Inc. USA Puckett, M.B. & Black, J. K. (2000). Authentic Assessment of the Youth Child. Prentice Hall. Columbus, Ohio. Whilmshurst, L. & Brue, A. W. (2010). A Complete Guide to Special Education. Jossey & Bass: San Francisco, CA. www.kaganonline.com, Concept Map (2007), Kagan Publishing – Ontario