Instructional Considerations for
Secondary Students
Changing Roles for Teachers
Elementary
Goal: Fundamental & Remedial Instruction
Techniques:Direct Instruction
ModificationsAccommodations
Lesson DesignBasic Academic Skills
Social / Behavioral SkillsOrganization & Study
Skills
MiddleGoal: Remediate and Compensate
Techniques:Coaching
Direct InstructionAssistive Tech
Self-determinationOrganization &
Study Skills
HighGoal: Student Independence
Techniques:Coaching
Person-centered planning
Direct InstructionAssistive TechSchool-to-workOrganization &
Study Skills
Today’s Secondary Schools Have…
High stakes graduation testing mandates (No Child Left Behind, 2001)
Increased academic demands and advanced required coursework (Kamil, 2003)
Instructional techniques that are not designed for diverse populations (Deshler & Schumaker, 2006)
Complex reading materials that contain esoteric vocabulary presented at a pace many students struggle to achieve (Mastropieri, Scruggs, & Graetz, 2003)
Developmental Characteristics of Early Adolescence
Hormonal changes Withdraw from parents Social awkwardness Explore adult roles & activities Peer pressure Increased drug & alcohol use Problem solving through trial and
errorhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPMP68QP698&feature=related
Middle Adolescence (15 – 17)
Pressure to conform and engage in risk-taking behavior increases
Dropout rates increase as students avoid frustration and embarrassment
Students become disenfranchised with academic content
Achievement gap widens
What Students Want “Teachers who are interested and listen to what
I have to say.” (Josh, 8th grade) “Cool teachers have cool spaces.” (Marika, 9th
grade) What does your space convey to students? “Mrs. Jones doesn’t judge me. She asks all kinds of
questions and makes me think. Everyone else just tells me what to do. I can think for myself.” (Eligh, 9th grade)
“Mr. V. always comes to our soccer games. He cares about us.” (Emory, 8th grade)
The Role of the Secondary Teacher
Provide a safe and welcoming environment
Build trusting relationships with students Help students focus on self-awareness:
What does he/she need to be successful? Explore career options Develop self-determination Teach organization and study skills
Self-Determination
Defined: A combination of skills, knowledge, and beliefs that enable a person to engage in goal-directed, self-regulated, autonomous behavior (Wehmayer, Agran, & Hughes, 1998)
Curriculum consideration
• Self-awareness• Decision making• Self-advocacy• Goal expression and
elaborationSelf-determined students with disabilities understand their strengths and limitations. They are able to take control of their lives and assume adult roles (Flexer et al., 2008).
The Special Education Conundrum
Low expectations for student independence Fear of letting students fail Teaching students “learned helplessness” It’s easier to do a task for the student than explain
and model how they can do it on their own Pressure to meet goals and objectives Thinking that the students must accept the
curriculum rather than helping them see how the curriculum can address their personal needs and interests
Can People with Disabilities Make Valuable Contributions?
Working with High School Students
You have done your job when the students don’t need you!
Activities should develop self-confidence
Contextualized learning experiences to motivate students (e.g., practical knowledge that helps students in the community)
Focus on independent living, leisure, and positive extracurricular activities
What Does it Mean to Have a Disability?
The boy who sees without eyeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLziFMF4DHA&feature=PlayList&p=22A5F13D29F44A56&index=146
Testing the limitshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owsqxiG_AnU&feature=PlayList&p=22A5F13D29F44A56&index=63
Denver Academy – An exemplar?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnaHD77qw4Y&feature=PlayList&p=22A5F13D29F44A56&index=97
Disabled Surfers Associationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxgMHUkESRM&feature=PlayList&p=22A5F13D29F44A56&index=55