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Instructional and Behavioral Instructional and Behavioral Interventions: Interventions:

3-tiered approaches 3-tiered approaches

Bradley S. Witzel, Ph.D.Bradley S. Witzel, Ph.D.

Winthrop UniversityWinthrop University

803-323-2453803-323-2453

Characteristics of those who Characteristics of those who strugglestruggle

Lack of strategic approaches to mathematicsLack of strategic approaches to mathematicsUnorganized, impulsive, unaware of where to begin Unorganized, impulsive, unaware of where to begin

an assignment an assignment Unaware of possible steps to break the problem Unaware of possible steps to break the problem

into a manageable task, possibly due to the into a manageable task, possibly due to the magnitude of the task magnitude of the task

Exhibit problems with memory (working memory)Exhibit problems with memory (working memory)Unable to focus on a task Unable to focus on a task Experience feelings of frustration, failure, or anxiety Experience feelings of frustration, failure, or anxiety Lack persistence to solve longer problems or Lack persistence to solve longer problems or

personal strugglespersonal strugglesAttribute failure to uncontrollable factors (e.g., luck, Attribute failure to uncontrollable factors (e.g., luck,

teacher's instructional style)teacher's instructional style)

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What has been found to help What has been found to help students with learning students with learning

difficultiesdifficulties► Teacher-directed work with guided Teacher-directed work with guided

discoverydiscovery Exogenous Constructivism Exogenous Constructivism (Moshman, 1982)(Moshman, 1982)

Verbal and Concrete Prompts used to Verbal and Concrete Prompts used to scaffoldscaffold (Kraayenoord & Elkins, 2004)(Kraayenoord & Elkins, 2004)

► Systematic InstructionSystematic Instruction (Bryant, Hartman, & Kim, 2003)(Bryant, Hartman, & Kim, 2003)

Explicit instructionExplicit instruction (Mercer et al, 1994)(Mercer et al, 1994)

Strategy InstructionStrategy Instruction (Maccini & Hughes, 2000)(Maccini & Hughes, 2000)

► Multisensory Multisensory (Maccini & Hughes, 2000; Maccini, Mulcahy, & (Maccini & Hughes, 2000; Maccini, Mulcahy, & Miller, 2007; Witzel, 2005; Witzel, Mercer & Miller, 2003; Witzel, Miller, 2007; Witzel, 2005; Witzel, Mercer & Miller, 2003; Witzel, Riccomini, & Schneider, 2008)Riccomini, & Schneider, 2008)

Learning DisabilitiesLearning Disabilities

• LD: The term 'specific learning LD: The term 'specific learning disability' means a disorder in one or disability' means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or or in using language, spoken or written, which disorder may manifest written, which disorder may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations (IDEIA, mathematical calculations (IDEIA, 2004)2004)

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Emotional DisabilitiesEmotional Disabilities

ED: Emotional disturbance means a condition exhibiting one or ED: Emotional disturbance means a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child's and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child's educational performance:educational performance:

• An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.sensory, or health factors.

• An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.relationships with peers and teachers.

• Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.circumstances.

• A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.• A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated

with personal or school problems.with personal or school problems.Emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia. The term does not Emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia. The term does not

apply to children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is apply to children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they have an emotional disturbance.determined that they have an emotional disturbance.

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Tiered InstructionTiered Instruction

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This courseThis courseWe will pull from research with students We will pull from research with students

learning disabilities and emotional disabilities learning disabilities and emotional disabilities to learn how best to teach.to learn how best to teach.

You will plan:You will plan:1)1) A full unit (academic and social-emotional)A full unit (academic and social-emotional)2)2) A CRA math lessonA CRA math lesson3)3) A task analysis (problem solving)A task analysis (problem solving)4)4) Cognitive strategiesCognitive strategies5)5) Student-led IEPsStudent-led IEPs

You will implement:You will implement:1)1) Possibly part or all of your planPossibly part or all of your plan2)2) Graduate students – entire planGraduate students – entire plan

You will problem solve:You will problem solve:1) 1) Student ED case studiesStudent ED case studies