Special Education
& Differentiated Instruction
Thinking
back years ago when I was an elementary school student, I cannot recall seeing
so many students leave the regular education classroom to receive special
education services. Working at an elementary
school for 6 years, I’ve noticed an increase in those students who need
additional resources and extra support in the classroom.
The district I work in I think does a phenomenal
job in providing to students’ needs. Our
special education teachers carefully set attainable goals for students on their
IEP’s. At the meetings they also state
the different strategies and methods they will be using to help students reach
their goal.
Regular
classroom teachers also help in this process by using differentiated
instruction in the classroom. They differentiate
one of three areas: content, process, or product according to the students’
readiness, interests or learning profile.
This differentiation can be carried out through whole class instruction,
small groups or working individually with students.
Special
education teachers and regular classroom teachers continuously assess their
learners and give students access to materials and resources to support their
learning. It takes a whole team effort
to ensure the success of these students.
I strongly agress with your statement that it takes collaboration by co-workers to help meet the needs for our students. Each person brings something to the table and may have different suggestions, ideas, or perspectives. It also alleviates some of the overwhelming factors that go along with the documentation for students and to ensure that you are doing what is best for the student. I also liked how you stated how they can differentiate instruction. It needs to occur across the teaching and learning and you mentioned this. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree that it seems as if more students are now needing additional resources and support in the classroom, than ever before. I think this might have something to do with how common it is to have inclusion of special education students within the general education classrooms. I think it is great that the district you work for discusses the strategies and methods that will be used to help students reach their IEP goals, when the goals are written. I like how you stated the many different ways in which differentiated instruction can be provided in the general education classroom. All teachers are capable of assessing their learners and giving students access to materials and resources to support their learning. I completely agree that it takes a team effort to ensure the success of all students! You mentioned some very valid points.
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