Special Education Terms for Parents: A Guide by

Definition

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 18:52:20 UTC

A general education teacher will provide an intervention for students before deciding if the child needs further help such as accommodations. Interventions are steps a teacher can take to adjust the curriculum in a way that is conducive for the student's learning and strengths. Sometimes, no further accommodations are needed. However, if interventions do not work, more severe accommodations may be needed.

Examples of Interventions

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 18:52:20 UTC

One-on-one time for 30 minutes a week.
Small group instruction twice a week.
Study intervention team where students learn better study skills.

Who receives interventions?

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 19:09:32 UTC

Interventions are for any student that needs to improve and requires additional teaching and practice in order to reach their goals.

Do some more research!

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 19:20:17 UTC

The following link has information explaining interventions for students. Here, you will also find information about accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities.

Evidence-Based Practices for Interventions

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:08:22 UTC

Educators should begin by assessing student's prior knowledge to determine where students need to improve. Once clear learning goals are identified, intervention strategies are put in place to assist the student. The student will be assessed frequently to measure effectiveness of the intervention in place before moving on to accommodations.

National Library of Medicine

Definition

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:11:02 UTC

Differentiation ensures that teachers are using various teaching methods to reach all levels of disabilities and learning abilities.

Who needs Differentiation?

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:12:32 UTC

All students can benefit from differentiation. Different teaching styles can engage each student differently. What style of instruction that works for one may not work for all students. Changing instructional style is important in making sure each student is getting what they need academically.

Examples of Differentiation

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:17:58 UTC

Giving students the option to choose between individual work or group work
Giving students a creative assignment instead of a typical book report to assess their comprehension of a text
Having students lead group discussions with peers so teach can gauge understanding of content

Explore more about Differentiated Instruction!

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:20:42 UTC

This article expresses ways that teachers can differentiate instruction. Using differentiated instruction allows students to show what they know in a variety of ways.

Understood

High-Leverage Practices in Differentiation

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:26:03 UTC

Teachers can differentiate materials used during instruction. For example, instead of using the dry erase board to teach, teachers can become fluent in technology and incorporate new ways to teach.
Teachers can also differentiate the materials students use in their classroom, such as colored pencils and highlighters for annotating articles instead of a pencil.
Teachers should have a steady pace when teaching the curriculum, ensuring skills are being built upon.
Teachers can challenge students who are ahead of the content knowledge and give them assignments to further their own understanding.

IRIS Center

Definition

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:28:29 UTC

Accommodations allow students to complete the same assignments as their peers, just in a different way such as additional time during tests and quizzes.

Who receives accommodations at school?

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:31:18 UTC

Students who have been evaluated will then receive an IEP plan written if needed. If an IEP is written, accommodations will automatically be put in that IEP.

Examples of accommodations

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:32:26 UTC

additional testing time
having the test read aloud
preferential seating

Learn more about accommodations!

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 20:34:09 UTC

Accommodations do not change the curriculum or content for the student, but it allows the student to complete their assignments and tests at a pace suitable for them. This article will further explain accommodations for students with disabilities.

Evidence-Based Practices for Students with Accommodations

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 21:00:00 UTC

Noted within the article, a few evidence-based accommodations that have worked for students is integrated learning, choice making, and use of multiple environments used for learning.

The Journal of Special Education, Vol. 37

Definition

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 21:30:39 UTC

Adaptations are changes in the way the curriculum is taught in order for students to receive an equal opportunity in learning and achieve the desired learning outcome.

Which students will need adaptations in the classroom?

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:28:41 UTC

Students that are in an inclusive classroom but need the curriculum taught in a different way than the typical student is used to, can benefit from adaptations in the classroom. Adaptations can benefit all students, not just the ones with learning disabilities.

Brookes Blog

Examples of Adaptations

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:32:52 UTC

flexible seating choices
giving students with trouble concentrating a seat closer to the board
using media devices for content delivery

What other adaptations are there in the classroom?

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:37:12 UTC

There are many ways a teacher can adapt their lessons and teachings to help a student understand the material better. Shorter assignments, verbal and emotional support, and paying attention to skill level (making sure an assignment is not too challenging or easy for a student) are all ways a teacher can adapt lessons to assist students.

High-Leverage Practices for Adaptations in the Classroom

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:41:39 UTC

There are 22 HLPs in Special Education. This video discusses different ways teachers can use HLPs in the classroom to uphold students with disabilities to the same standard as the other students, just with more supports put in place.

Definition

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:43:43 UTC

Modifications are different ways to engage students in learning and processing information. For example, some students may require more stretch breaks in class than other students so they can concentrate better.

Which students use modifications?

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:45:58 UTC

Modifications are for students with disabilities that need either the curriculum or assignments to be modified for their understanding.

Examples of Modifications

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:48:23 UTC

breaks between tasks/transitions
Creative assignments instead of book reports
Multiple choice questions instead of written-response questions

Additional Information on Modifications

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:51:04 UTC

There are many different types of modifications. Modifications are put in place to allow students to learn material differently than the average student, meaning they may need more breaks during class or different assignment stipulations like outlining instead of writing an essay.

High-Leverage Practice for Students with Modifications

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:55:12 UTC

This video discusses HLPs in modifications for students. Modifications include changing the curriculum to fit the needs of the students so they can make meaningful progress in their learning.

Definition

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:57:13 UTC

Specially Designed Instruction is a teaching style that caters specifically to the needs of the student. Teachers will work with the student in a one-on-one environment or small group to specially teach a lesson that was otherwise taught differently to student without disabilities.

Who needs Specially Designed Instruction?

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 22:59:21 UTC

Students who may struggle with paying attention or even understanding the material may need SDI. Teachers can adjust the assignments and the way content is taught in order to benefit the learning needs of the student(s).

Examples of Specially Designed Instruction

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 23:02:18 UTC

speech and language therapy
vocational education
adaptive physical education

Check it Out!

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 23:06:13 UTC

This link follows a few ways to specially design instruction for students! Students may need a direct approach to instruction or even the use of an interpreter. There are many ways a teacher can use specially designed instruction in the Gen Ed classroom.

High-Leverage Practice Regarding SDI

futrellasha — 2025-01-26 23:10:28 UTC

SDI is tailored to a specific student. Using SDI in beneficial in assisting students in learning the curriculum in a way that is conducive to them.