Knowledge Standard #4

Skills, techniques, and procedures for effectively integrating students with special needs in career and technical education settings

Evidence: Work from Castleton University course , Instruction and Assessment in a PBL System (pre-planning scaffolding and interventions that anticipate the support I may need to provide for some learners)

Description: During the coursework for the class, attention was given to planning for students with special needs in the program; Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a method for preparing for such needs by incorporating alternative methods of learning and assessment into the overall class design.

Analysis: As a teacher new to Vermont, the Proficiency-Based Learning system was new to me; during the summer of 2019, I took a course that explored PBL and how UDL may be utilized to provide opportunities for all students. In this particular assignment, I was tasked with providing a lesson plan that took an activity I use in class and incorporating UDL to make it accessible to all students. The activity (from the performance class) involves the introduction of pantomime- acting without words- and sets up the assessment that will take place; in the assignment, I explained how I would incorporate UDL to facilitate instruction for students of various abilities and needs.

Evidence 2: Coursework year-long in-service activity, Proficiency-Based Learning at PAHCC

Description: The course asked us to examine how we design lessons that take into account learners' profiles and modifications to ensure success in meeting proficiencies.

Analysis: As with the evidence above, the focus of this year-long in-service was how to incorporate Proficiency-Based Learning into our classes; one area of exploration was how to create lessons that consider accommodations and modifications as we plan lessons in order to ensure successful completion of learning targets by students with special needs.