Chapter OneMeghan PreissingSped 413/513MSUMJanuary 14, 2011

Foundations of Special Education The Law

Public Law 94-142, IDEA, NCLB, Section 504, and ADA Research

Evidence-based instruction practices Teachers

The individuals responsible for the learning environment of the students

Parents The parents of students serviced in special education play

a vital role in education decisions for their child. Students

Individuals with disabilities rights

Public Law 94-142 Education for All Handicapped Children’s

Act (EAHCA) Required states to provide student’s with

disabilities a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

This act also provided funding to the states to expand and improve their special education programs

This was passed in 1975

IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is the new

name for PL 94- 142 IDEA includes many regulations for states that PL

94-142 did not Important elements of IDEA

Students must be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment(LRE) LRE – giving special Ed. students as much exposure to

the general classroom and general curriculum appropriate for their individual needs

Requires schools to develop individual education plans (IEP) for special education students

Established procedural safeguards to protect the rights of parents and students

IDEA 2004 IDEA 2004 is the most recent

authorization of IDEA IDEA 2004 emphasizes

Student and teacher accountability the use of Response to Intervention Greater inclusion of students with

disabilities into the general education classroom

NCLB No Child Left Behind Act passed in 2001 Changed general and special education

Increased accountability by testing students to ensure they were meeting statewide standards in reading and math

Allows parents and students to choose different schools if their current school is not meeting annual yearly progress

Required higher qualifications of teachers Gave schools greater flexibility in the use of

education funds Put greater emphasis on reading by increasing

the use of research based instruction

NCLB and IDEA NCLB and IDEA (2004) were both

created to increase the success of schools in America These changes resulted in a standards

based education system Teachers and school districts teaching to

ensure all children reach content standards and performance standards

IDEA and NCLB These two laws also changed education by

emphasizing the following Inclusion Response to Intervention Multi tiered instruction Universal Design for Learning Differentiated Instruction Evidence –Based Practice Diversity Empowerment

Inclusion “Inclusion does not refer to a physical space;

it refers to a condition or state of being.” (Polloway, Patton, & Serna, 2008).

Inclusion is a right of students with disabilities Students with disabilities are given the

opportunity to feel like they belong to a group Individuals with disabilities are given access to

general classroom, school activities, and respect by their peers

Response to Intervention (RTI)and Multi tiered instruction Students are taught using research based

instruction This instruction is set up into three tiers

Tier one - High quality core instruction Tier two – High quality targeted supplemental

instruction Tier three – High quality intensive instruction

Learners are identified as learning disabled after they have responded unsuccessfully to multiple instruction interventions (RTI)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) UDL is used so students with different

needs can all learn, be challenged, and feel success while being taught together

Activities and assessments are flexible to meet the needs of the students and their individual goals

Accommodations and modifications are established prior to lesson implementation so many students can learn simultaneously

Differentiated Instruction

UDL and differentiated instruction when used together have the potential to make learning a positive experience for a variety of students

Differentiated instruction involves making the challenge appropriate for students of different abilities

Differentiated instruction also involves teaching using different types of instruction designed for different types of intelligences

Evidence – based practice Researchers and teachers coming together to

create repeatable educational methods Research and education have not always aligned

because of different perspectives but, now there is more emphasis on the importance of them intertwining

Teachers who use proven instructional methods increase the success of their students

Researchers who design tests to meet the needs of teachers and students increase the success of students

Diversity and Empowerment Educators must be aware of

the diverse needs of their students

Students are diverse in many ways Behavior Culture Race Setting Economic status Sexual orientation Intellect Development Physical ability

Teachers must empower their students by raising their confidence and determination

Teachers can empower students by teaching them these skills Decision making Problem solving Independent living Goal setting Self-understanding Leadership Self-advocacy Locus of control

ADA and Section 504 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and

Section 504 are two civil rights acts that protect students with disabilities as well

These acts ensure that those with disabilities have access to public buildings and programs that receive federal funding

Students who do not qualify for special education services under IDEA may receive assistance through Section 504

Special Education Parents, teachers,

and students come together to provide proper instruction and tools to give students with disabilities a meaningful life as independent as possible