Some of the most critical soft skills (i.e., nontechnical, interpersonal skills that impact personal performance in an environment such as school or the workplace) that students must acquire as they mature are the skills to act or cause things to happen in their lives. Providing instruction to increase these skills--all part of…

Although the instructional strategy described in this article can be used to support all learners, the purpose of this article is to address the needs of students with learning disabilities, who are often several grade levels behind in reading comprehension. Specifically, this article explores how an explicitly taught instructional practice that…

This paper begins with examining the origins of Individual Educational Plans, before taking a critical approach to the concept, to highlight the shortcomings and flaws that can now be found with the concept. The call is made to move toward Personalised Planning models, which will have a greater impact on pupil outcomes, before reporting on how the…

By participating within the educational setting in making decisions about their lives that reach beyond choice-making, students with disabilities who acquire the skills of self-determination may express interests and goals through their own authentic voice. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the experiences and…

This study illustrates why preschool children who are dual language learners (DLLs) are not a homogeneous group. An empirically developed model of preschool DLL subgroups, based on latent class analysis, was presented. The model reflects three separate subgroups of DLL children present in many classrooms where DLL children are served: Bilinguals,…

Co-teaching involves a highly collaborative, mutually accountable relationship between a regular education and special education teacher in an inclusive environment. Effective co-teaching involves both teachers working together in the regular classroom setting in an effort to make learning accessible for all students regardless of ability or…

This article describes three different ways of using paraeducators during adapted physical education. (1.) Having paraeducators read a portion of the lesson plan that describes the desired support towards lesson objectives. Paraeducators then assist all students when needed. (2.) Assigning specific modifications for paraeducators through the IEP…

Students with disabilities should not only be members of general education classrooms, but must also be able to learn meaningful skills in those settings, not just socialize with peers. This article reviews effective teaching methods and their contextual fit with the working of a general education classroom. The response to intervention (RtI)…

A model for gifted and talented children, the Revolving Door Identification and Programing Model, which stresses differentiated programing, can be applied to special education settings. The model has implications for identifying student skills and interests, streamlining the basic academic program to pursue those interests, and providing…

The bulk of the article is devoted to a description of three management forms that constitute the IEP model [--the Strength-A-Lyzer, Compactor, and Management Plan for Individual and Small Group Investigations of Real Problems--] represent a step-by-step procedure for translating theoretical principles derived from the research literature into…

The transition to adult life for students with reading and writing challenges is an area that is not often addressed. The purpose of this article is to relate the informal assessment process to the broader context of high stakes assessment, high school exit exams, diploma options, and transition planning; identify the competencies needed for a…

Research has shown that successful school-to-work transitional planning must be linked to good vocational assessment. A study of the type and extent of formal vocational assessments being conducted by educators within secondary schools in Wisconsin showed that 77 percent assessed occupational interests, 63 percent assessed vocational aptitudes,…

This book is designed to provide general and special education teachers with basic information in the workings of special education and to describe teachers' roles in designing meaningful programs for students with disabilities. An introductory chapter describes special education law, terminology, and professional standards. In addition, three…

Students with disabilities represent a relatively small but important group of students in U.S. high schools. The education of these students is heavily influenced by federal and state law as well as by longstanding beliefs about the purpose of education and the extreme heterogeneity of the population. Until recently, general educational policies…

Several models have been developed to aid in selecting appropriate educational content for special needs students. These include the developmental model, behavioral model, categorical model, and environmental or ecological model. The ecological model involves determining the skills that a fully functioning member of society normally performs in…