Our blog has been designed to keep our educators, parents and clinicians up-to-date on trending topics in special education.
Do you remember learning to read as a child? If so, what was the process like for you? Was it joyful? Do your memories of your early learning years make you smile as you think about practicing letter flashcards, sounding out words, and perhaps earning special stickers for jumping to the next reading level? Or are the emotions associated with your memories of learning to read a little more complex? Learning to read is a process, after all, and that process is not the same for all learners. For some students, solving words and making meaning from texts is a very frustrating task. However you learned to read, education scientists and thought leaders in literacy instruction agree that there is a science to the process.
If you're responsible for choosing curriculum software for your special education program, you know it's a big decision. There are a lot of factors to consider, and it's important to find a program that will meet the unique needs of your students. Here are some things to look for as you evaluate special education curriculum software options.
As a special educator, chances are pretty good that you’ve heard the term ‘ESSER Funds’ at some point during the last few years. Now, if you’re a special education administrator or district stakeholder - chances are even better that you’re well-aware of ESSER funds and have likely already spent hours researching different programs and technologies that are eligible for purchase with said funds. ESSER funds, or Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds, exist as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This blog will guide you through how you can collaborate with parents/families to continue to support positive learning outcomes in your classroom. Did you know that active parental participation and academic success have a positive correlation? It’s true - research notes that parents/guardians play a key role in boosting student outcomes. Below are tips you can implement to enhance parental/family involvement.
It can be quite challenging to give all of your students the differentiated, individualized attention they need. For many special educators, classroom rosters may span three different grades, or four different levels of students with moderate to severe disabilities. Does this sound like you? Let’s navigate how you can use small group instruction to improve your classroom management, individualized learning opportunities, differentiated instruction, and even data collection!
Schedules and routines help your students to learn independence, responsibility and agency…and serve as a great way to keep your classroom running smoothly. If you are out for the day, do your students know what to do? Can they navigate their day with minimal prompts from you or your classroom staff? Let’s discuss how to create, teach, and implement a routine that helps you and your students stay on task throughout the day.
Self-determination can be a driving force for students, especially those with moderate to severe disabilities. Self-determination provides the skills needed for these students to thrive in school, friendships, relationships, employment, community living and beyond. In fact, self-determination is a research-based predictor of positive outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Play and social skills are the building blocks for early learners to succeed in the classroom. While neurotypical children tend to learn these skills naturally through play, our students with moderate to severe disabilities often require more systematic instruction. However, this does not mean that we cannot teach these skills through play-based activities!
In March 2020, teachers were given no other choice but to pivot to distance learning after the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily shut the doors to schools across the country. While the majority of districts seem to have stabilized back to an in-person learning environment, if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that plans can shift quickly.
Collecting data while juggling all the other responsibilities of a teacher can be challenging. That being said, the benefits of compiling data and using it to guide your teaching practices can save you time in the long run, all while drastically improving outcomes for your students. How can you balance these benefits with the lack of time and resources? Read on for some helpful tips on how you can collect data quickly and efficiently.
