The presentation is about teacher responsibilities and learners rights. Disable students and their rights are focused. Alongside that, the strategies and ways used to tackle special education are discussed.
2. Special Education
Special education as the name suggest is different
from conventional education. It is a type of education
which fits all type of students. Special education is for
individuals having disabilities.
Special education is all about providing necessary
equipment's to all students so that they can make
progress. E.g. some students will learn in conventional
classroom, some will work with specialists and other
will spend time in classrooms dealing with disable
students.
4. Laws and Policies
Education for all handicapped children Act
This Act was passed in 1975 and the main reason behind this was to provide equal
opportunities to disable individuals. The Act holds responsible institutions to provide resources
to disable students same as normal students get.
Individuals with disabilities education Act
This is a modification of the above act which provides disable students free public education in
Least restrictive environment with added assistance.
No child left behind
This act states that every single child of the state should be evaluated whether he is normal or
disabled.
(5 important special education laws 2021)
5. Expectation of the profession
Special educators have the added responsibility of examining and identifying special
needs of every student. Develop individual plans and organize activities for each
student. Teach and counsel students ono-on-one. Alongside this, the educators should
be aware of policies, codes of conduct of special education. Some are as follow:
ADA (American with Disabilities Act)
DOR (Department of Rehabilitation)
LEA (local education agency)
PDD (pervasive developmental disorder)
LRE (least restrictive environment)
(Grafwallner, 2017)
6. Code of ethics
Council for exceptional children's have made code of ethics for
professional special educators in which some of the important
ones are given below.
Maintaining challenging expectations and respecting
their dignity and culture.
Maintaining a high level of professional competence
and integrity.
Encouraging the students to participate in school and
community activities.
Practicing collegially with others who are providing
services to individuals with exceptionalities.
Involve the families of disable students in decision
making regarding their progress.
7. Cont’d
Using evidence, instructional data, research, and
professional knowledge to inform practice.
Prioritizing the physical and psychological safety of
the exceptional students.
Engage such practices which does not harm special
students.
Advocating for professional conditions and
resources that will improve learning outcomes
Participating in the growth and dissemination of
professional knowledge and skills.
(Code of ethics - exceptional children n.d.)
8. Professional standards for practice
Some of the important professional standards for educators are as
follow:
Learner development
Learning differences and environments
Content knowledge and applications
Assessment
Planning and strategies of instruction
Professional learning and ethical practice
Leadership and collaboration
(Lynch, 2018)
9. Meet the needs of every student
Some of the practices and strategies which can
help in fulfilling the need of every students are
as follow:
Communicate and collaborate with every
student consistently.
Student-centered learning
Focus on skills of students
Multiple assessments
Communicate with parents
(Wasserman, 2022)
10. Ways to help student reach their full
strength
Identify and use students skills
Diversify learning
Include resources that minimize the impact of their disabilities on learning.
Promote their skills
Involve their culture and community in learning
Assess growth in every learning experience
11. Giving respect to every learner
Treating every student in the same way.
Involving the culture of students in education.
Arranging parents-teacher meeting to know more about students
background.
Give importance to the point of view of every student.
Focus on topics rather than individuals.
Avoid the use of offensive language.
Take feedback from the students regularly.
12. Collaboration with learners, families
and colleagues
Develop Two way communication with parents.
Encourage communication among parents through
monthly meetings.
Use WhatsApp and Facebook groups.
Moving beyond event based engagement.
E.g. involving the parents in homework's, curriculum and
assessments etc.
Discussion with colleagues about particular kids
facing problems.
Understanding parents perspective and including their
feedback in instruction.
(Thorson, 2018)
14. References
5 important special education laws. Masters in Special Education Degree Program Guide |. (2021,
November 9). Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.masters-in-special-education.com/lists/5-
important-special-education-laws/
Code of ethics - exceptional children. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2023, from
https://exceptionalchildren.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/Code%20of%20Ethics.pdf
Grafwallner, P. (2017, December 19). What I've learned from special ed teachers. Edutopia. Retrieved
January 28, 2023, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-ive-learned-special-ed-teachers/
Lynch, M. (2018, September 3). The 10 professional standards all effective teachers must meet. The
Edvocate. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.theedadvocate.org/10-professional-
standards-effective-teachers-must-meet/
Thorson, K. (2018, April 20). Creating a culture of collaborative family engagement. Getting Smart.
Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/04/20/creating-a-culture-of-
collaborative-family-engagement/
Wasserman, L. (2022, March 8). Strategies for meeting all students' needs (opinion). Education Week.
Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-strategies-for-
meeting-all-students-needs/2012/04
