Education Commons^™

Interpreting Inclusivity: An Endeavour Of Great Proportions, Richard G. Berlach, Dianne Chambers

Dianne J Chambers

Commencing with a historical account of how special needs education has informed the inclusivity debate, the authors consider the knotty problem of what is meant by inclusivity. An examination of the characteristics of inclusivity is then undertaken, and a functional school-based inclusivity framework – a three-faceted model – is proposed. The model commences with a philosophical underpinning designed to generate a number of emphases to be determined by the school. Once agreed upon, these are then operationalised for classroom practices. It is contended that the model is a defensible way of facilitating the development of an inclusivity ethos within the …

Common-Law Interpretation Of Appropriate Education: The Road Not Taken In Rowley, Mark C. Weber

Mark C. Weber

Thirty years old in 2012, Board of Education v. Rowley is the case that established a some-benefit or floor-of-opportunity standard for the services public school districts must provide to children who have disabilities. But the some-benefit approach is by no means the only one the Court could have adopted. It could have endorsed the view of the lower courts that each child with a disability must be given the opportunity to achieve his or her potential commensurate with the opportunity offered other children. Or it could have adopted a standard based on achievement of the child’s full potential or the …

Culture Clash: Special Education In Charter Schools, Robert A. Garda Jr.

Robert A. Garda

Charter schools and special education for disabled students are based on conflicting education reforms and agency oversight principles. Charter schools operate in a culture of regulatory freedom and flexibility. They arose out of the modern era of accountability reform, in which student outcomes are the primary measure of school success and the driving engine of agency oversight. In stark contrast, special education laws were conceived in the civil rights era of education reform, which emphasized process and paid little attention to outcomes. The education of disabled students is steeped in a culture of regulatory oversight focused on rigid compliance with …

Establishing Special Education Programs: Experiences Of Christian School Principals, Gary Cookson, Samuel J. Smith

Samuel James Smith

The Politics Of Education Reform: Lessons Learned From New Orleans, Robert A. Garda Jr.

Robert A. Garda

Hurricane Katrina demolished the educational facilities and state leaders took the opportunity to raze the broken educational governance structures in New Orleans. Leaders re-created the Orleans Parish School District based on the education reforms sweeping the nation: school choice, accountability, state takeover of failing schools, and charter schools. The city is now the proving ground for modern education reforms and policymakers from around the country are watching closely. The mistakes made and lessons learned in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina can act as a roadmap for states and districts moving toward the “new” education model - choice plans, charter schools …

The History Of Special Education: Lessons From The Past, Implications For The Future, Lucinda S. Spaulding, Deanna L. Keith Dr.

Deanna Keith

We identify three eras in the history of special education: Early Reform (1800 – 1870), Stagnation and Regression (1870-1950), and Contemporary Reform (1950 – present). Next we examine parallels between eras and consider implications for people with disabilities today, highlighting the importance of the systematic study of historical perspectives in preparation programs for special educators.

The History Of Special Education: Lessons From The Past, Implications For The Future, Lucinda S. Spaulding, Deanna L. Keith Dr.

Lucinda S. Spaulding

We identify three eras in the history of special education: Early Reform (1800 – 1870), Stagnation and Regression (1870-1950), and Contemporary Reform (1950 – present). Next we examine parallels between eras and consider implications for people with disabilities today, highlighting the importance of the systematic study of historical perspectives in preparation programs for special educators.

Determining Best Practices And Interventions In Special Education, Lucinda S. Spaulding

Lucinda S. Spaulding

A current critical issue in special education is no longer the assurance of access but the assurance of intervention effectiveness. Determining which practices and interventions are most effective and efficient for ensuring optimal student achievement is a fundamental concern of special education teachers in this era of accountability. In this discussion I examine three designs commonly used in special education research (experimental research designs, meta-analyses, and narrative research syntheses) and their utility and appropriateness for determining the efficacy of classroom practices and interventions.

Best Practices For Inclusive Science Instruction, Lucinda S. Spaulding, Jenny Sue Flannagan

Lucinda S. Spaulding

The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of evidence based best practices for inclusive science instruction and to equip teachers with applicable strategies for scaffolding instruction and responding to learner needs based on research in special education and science instruction. As a result of this session, participants will learn strategies and methods for helping students learn to independently design experiments, use the scientific process, and develop critical thinking skills. There will also be an emphasis on effective co-teaching practices and employing instructional strategies for reinforcing skills and content knowledge across the curriculum, providing more time for instruction …

Introduction To Symposium On Reconstructing Education In New Orleans Post-Katrina, Robert A. Garda Jr.

Robert A. Garda

No abstract provided.

Equitable And Adequate Funding For Special Needs Children In Louisiana, Robert A. Garda Jr.

Robert A. Garda

Comprehensive and coordinated special education remains a major problem across public schools in Louisiana. One issue arises due to the fact that special education money in some districts is allotted at the district level instead of following students to the schools they attend, resulting in inconsistent support for schools serving students with multiple types of disabilities. Money is not allocated based on student needs and the neediest students do not receive the services the funding is intended to provide.

Louisiana Appleseed and the Louisiana Bar Foundation have recruited volunteer attorneys to: (1) research Louisiana Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) formulas and …

Online Learning And Mentors: Addressing The Shortage Of Rural Special Educators Through Technology And Collaboration, Evelyn S. Johnson, Michael J. Humphrey, Keith W. Allred

Evelyn S. Johnson

This article describes a promising model in comprehensive special education personnel preparation to support the recruitment and retention of special education teachers in rural areas. The approach draws on several bodies of research to include best practices for teacher education, online service delivery, collaboration among key stakeholders, and the development of strong mentoring and induction programs. The implementation plan, based on evidence-based practice in special education and online learning, is presented. A key element of this plan is developing and maintaining strong relationships among rural districts, the state department of education, and higher education.

Culturally Responsive Instruction For Students With Multiple Or Severe Physical Impairments, Theron Ford, Blanche Glimps

Theron N Ford

Are there students with physical disabilities who are so severely impaired that their culture can not be taken into consideration? Growing numbers of preschool and school age children with such disabilities are from non-European countries including Africa, South America, East Asia, and the Caribbean Islands. In addition, children who are American Indian/Alaska Natives, African American, or Hispanic are also represented in special education programs. Psychologically, familiar food, music, and customs are important for these students as they may provide a comforting link between home and school. It is the cultural frame of reference that most often informs and shapes children. …

Acquisition And Generalization Of Activity Schedules And Their Effects On Task Engagement In A Young Child With Autism In An Inclusive Pre-School Classroom, N. Gayle Massey, John J. Wheeler

John J. Wheeler

'Absolutely Worth The Effort!' The Final Report Of The Adult Numeracy And Mathematics On Line (Anamol) Project., B Marr, B Johnston, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

By utilising on-line communication technology, The ANAMOL project aimed to address the problems of numeracy teachers who often work in isolated situations. Teachers from four states communicated both on a weekly basis using 'chat' technology, and irregularly via web- based discussion forum. Through these discussions, teaching materials were written, trialled, refined and published on a newly- developed website. This report documents the action research methodology used, the project outcomes and implications and recommendations for further on-line professional development.

A Giving Experience: The Use Of Community Service For Training Community Living Skills And Promoting Integration With Individuals With Severe Disabilities, Theron Ford, Caroline Everington

Theron N Ford

Presents a case study on the use of community service to promote community living skills and integration for individuals with severe disabilities. Psychological importance of the integration of disabled persons into the mainstream society; Project description; Objective of the project; Implementation; Outcomes. INSET: Community service objectives for each student.

An Exploratory Resource Allocation Model For Implementing Supported Employment Services, Philip S. Hall, John J. Wheeler

John J. Wheeler

The Use Of Extended Follow-Along Procedures In A Supported Employment Setting, Paul Renzaglia, John J. Wheeler, Harold B. Hanson, Sidney R. Miller

John J. Wheeler

Teaching Appropriate Social Behaviors To A Young Man With Moderate Mental Retardation In A Supported Competitive Employment Setting, John J. Wheeler, Paul Bates, Kathleen J. Marshall, Sidney R. Miller

John J. Wheeler