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Access to General Education Curriculum with Technology Accommodations 892.562.61 February 10, 2009 Johns Hopkins University. “Calculated Reasoning”. Webquest Activity Ephraim Cook & Aryeh Rosen. Question:.
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Access to General Education Curriculum with Technology Accommodations 892.562.61 February 10, 2009 Johns Hopkins University
“Calculated Reasoning” Webquest Activity Ephraim Cook & Aryeh Rosen
Question: • Why is it fair that some students get to use calculators and other helpful equipment while other students in the same class setting do not get similar benefits and must memorize the material? • Is it fair?
Answer: • No students are the same. • Learning challenges and special needs • Children with special needs have rights • “Least Restrictive Environment” • Any necessary accommodations and adaptations to make it possible for them to succeed in the learning environment
Support. . . • Some of the laws that support and show, that these children with special needs must indeed be placed in the least restricted environment • Assistive technology to succeed
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 • People with disabilities cannot be excluded from any program that receives financial assistance from the federal government. (Gallagher, 2009) • Auxiliary aids must be given to students that are challenged with speaking, sensory or manual skills. (Which Laws Should Every Teacher Know, 2006) • Section 504 also requires that people with disabilities are given, as much as possible, the chance to be “fully integrated into mainstream American life.” (Brunckerhoff, L. C., Shaw, S. F., & McGuire, J. H., 1993)
P.L. 94 -142 (1975) • Children with disabilities between 6 and 21 are eligible for services (Gallagher, 2009) • Students must be tested or assessed in a manner that is fair to them and does not discriminate to them because of their challenges. (Which Laws Should Every Teacher Know, 2006)
P.L. 94 – 457 (1986) • Free appropriate education with all that it entails must be given to children ages 3 to 5 years of age. (Gallagher, 2009)
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (1988) • Ensures provision of assistive technology for students with disabilities and various opportunities to have services in assistive technology. • Helps with funding of assistive technology. (Gallagher, 2009)
ADA (1990) • A civil rights law that provides help and “reasonable accommodations” to people that have disabilities. (Gallagher, 2009) • The ADA also provides for the students with special needs “services, auxiliary aids, and accommodations.” (Brunckerhoff, L. C., Shaw, S. F., & McGuire, J. H., 1993
IDEA P.L. 101 – 476 continues P.L. 94 – 142. . . • Among other things provides a large gamut of services that includes assistive technology. (Gallagher, 2009) • - Do you Smell A Calculator? • The IDEA also ensures that all students including those with special needs are given a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. (Brunckerhoff, L. C., Shaw, S. F., & McGuire, J. H., 1993).
IDEA P.L. 100 - 4 – 7 • Assistive Technology Defined - “ …any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” (Gallagher, 2009)
Conclusion: • Fairness. . .while some students must memorize their math tables, others can punch in the problem on their calculator? • Yes, it is appropriate and it is the law. • As was demonstrated, the law requires that all students be given a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment, as well as any assistive technology necessary to help them be able to succeed there.
Seems like all these parents want to do is . . . • . . .push some buttons – or enable their children to!
References: • Brunckerhoff, L. C., Shaw, S. F., & McGuire, J. H. (1993). Promoting Postsecondary Education for Students with Learning Disabilities: A handbook for practitioners.Austin, TX: Pro Ed. • Gallagher, B.J. (2009). Historical and Legal Perspectives of Assistive Technology. Np. • Which Laws Affecting Special Education Should Every Teacher Know? [Electronic version]. Legal Foundations of Special Education, 1, 9 – 13.