Fabens ISD Special Education Accommodations/Modifications

1. Fabens ISD Special Education Accommodations/Modifications Norma Castillo, M.Ed. Jorge Saenz, M.Ed. Liliana Yslas, M.Ed. October 28, 2015

2. Agenda • Special Education • Legal Responsibility • What do I need to know • Accommodations vs. Modifications • Examples of each • STAAR Accommodations Triangle • Considerations • Practice • General Education Input Form • Local Procedures • Grade Accountability • Questions/Comments/Concerns • References

3. What is Special Education? • By definition, special education is “specially designed instruction” CFR300.39. IDEA defines this as follows: • Specially designed instruction means adapting, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child under this part, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction- • To address the unique needs of the child that result from the child’s disability; and • To ensure access of the child to the general curriculum, so that the child can meet the educational standards within the jurisdiction of the public agency that apply to all children. CFR300.39(b)(3)

4. What is Special Education? • Layman’s terms: Individualized education plan for SPED students to help meet their academic and behavioral needs.

5. Legal Responsibility • Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) • It guarantees a free, appropriate public education for all children with disabilities. • Due process of law requires parent participation and involvement in the initiation, development and implementation of their child’s education program. • Least restrictive environment- students with disabilities must be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate • An individualized educational program (IEP) must be developed and implemented for each student with a disability that receives special education services. • Doe V. Withers case (See Handout)

6. What do I need to know for my students? Accommodations/Modifications • Adaptations, alterations and modifications to classroom assignments, tests, instruction, and management of behavior necessary for the student to participate adequately in class • Layman’s terms- Accomms/Mods level the playing field • Must be implemented if recommended for student! • Will receive a copy of mods from SPED teacher • Implications for STAAR testing

7. What is an Instructional Accommodation? • An accommodation changes HOW the content is taught, made accessible and/or is assessed. • Changes to instructional materials, procedures, or techniques that allow a student with disabilities to participate in grade level/course instruction and testing • Are Intended to reduce or eliminate the effects of a student’s disability

8. What is an Instructional Accommodation? • They allow students with disabilities to pursue a regular course of study (e.g., DAP, Recommended Graduation plan) • Since accommodations do not alter what is being taught, teachers should be able to implement the same grading scale for students with disabilities as they do for students without disabilities • Do not reduce learning expectations • Should be used routinely, independently, and effectively by the student

9. Examples of Accommodations • Extra time for completion of assignments/exams • Short instructions • Provide copy of notes • Taped lectures • Large print materials • Small group/individual assistance • Multi-sensory approaches • Study aids/manipulatives • Reduced assignments/exams

10. What is a Content Modification? • A change in WHAT is being taught or assessed • Practices or procedures that change the nature of the task or target skill • The student is expected to learn something different than the regular education standard (TEKS). • Instruction based on grade level content with changes to student expectations • The range of content to be mastered • Depth or complexity of understanding • Prerequisite skills • Should be used routinely, independently, and effectively by the student • A change in WHAT is being taught or assessed • Practices or procedures that change the nature of the task or target skill • The student is expected to learn something different than the regular education standard (TEKS). • Instruction based on grade level content with changes to student expectations • The range of content to be mastered • Depth or complexity of understanding • Prerequisite skills • Should be used routinely, independently, and effectively by the student

11. What is a Content Modification? • Students will graduate under the Minimum High School plan • May be appropriate for a high school student with cognitive impairments that limit his/her ability to understand the content in the general education class in which they are included.

12. Examples of Content Modifications • Reduced assignments/exams • Grade only on completed classwork • Retake exams • Altered format of materials • Below grade level instruction and performance expectations • Selected TEKS instead of all the TEKS for a course • Locally developed course to substitute for a general education course (e.g. Living Skills, VAP)

13. STAAR Accommodations Triangle http://tea.texas.gov/Student_Testing_and_Accountability/Testing/Student_Assessment_Overview/Accommodation_Resources/2016_Accommodations_for_Students_with_Disabilities_Taking_State_Assessments/

14. When to consider accommodations and/or modifications • When a student is struggling or failing • When different learning styles are needed • When you are asked to fill out the General Education Input Form in preparation for the annual review • When a student’s disability limits access to the general education curriculum (e.g. large print materials for a visually impaired student)

15. Accommodation or Modification?? Change in Grading Scale Modification

16. Accommodation or Modification?? Graphic of Scientific Process Accommodation

17. Accommodation or Modification?? Multiplication Chart Accommodation

18. Accommodation or Modification?? Exam with Three Answer Choices Modification

19. Accommodation or Modification?? Ladders Accommodation

20. Accommodation or Modification?? Custom Car Modification

21. General Education Input Form(handout) • Form to be filled out by the general education teacher prior to the annual review • Provides input as to the accommodations/modifications the teacher is implementing • Currently being routinely, independently, and effectively used by the student • Form will be given to you by the special education teacher of record • Provides detailed information about the student’s present academic and functional competencies • Allows you to provide input to the ARD committee in your absence (THIS IS YOUR VOICE )

22. General Education Input Form cont. • Frequency • 1. Every class period • 2. When student fails an assignment/assessment • 3. When student gets behind with assignments • 4. Other • What is “Other?” • 1. It is NOT “ as needed.” • 2. Can be a frequency that is not as well-defined as the other three. • Ex. For use on exams and six weeks tests • Ex. When introducing a new concept • Ex. For written compositions during class

23. Local Special Education Procedures • Upon receipt of the accommodations/modifications page at the beginning of the school year andafter the Annual ARD is held, you should: • Get background information on the student. • Keep portfolio for documentation purposes • Ask questions/review with the Special Ed Teacher of record • If the accommodation/modification is checked, it must be implemented (remember that professionals knowledgeable about the child were the ones who made the decision). • You can make changes to the accommodation/modification pages through an amendment or an ARD based on your knowledge of the child.

24. Grade AccountabilityThe ARD Committee recommends whether special education, regular education or both determine the progress report and six weeks grade(s) for each student.Once the decision is finalized, it must be carried out.

25. Questions/Comments/Concerns

26. References/Resources • www.learning-styles-online.com • www.whatworksclearinghouse.org • www.interventioncentral.org • www.nationalreadingpanel.org • www.esc18.net • www.ldat.org • www.nichcy.org • www.tea.state.tx.us • www.esc20.net • www.esc19.net • www.ncld.org

27. Thank you for your participation, attention and cooperation!!