STANDARD 1: TEACHING DIVERSE STUDENTS

Description: Article one is a written assignment on the importance of accommodations and modifications when working with developmentally disabled students. Under IDEA, students with disabilities are entitled to an Individualized Education Program (IEP). To create meaningful and effective IEPs, educators and professionals need to understand how specific disabilities impact learning and communication. When creating IEPs, educators need to know how about the disabilities that affect their student's education. Understanding this informs the development of goals, accommodations, and support services tailored to the individual needs of each student. 

Connection: 1D) understands the impact of cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory disabilities on learning and communication pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (also referred to as “IDEA”) (20 USC 1400 et seq.), its implementing regulations (34 CFR 300; 2006), Article 14 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/Art.14] and 23 Ill. Adm. Code 226 (Special Education); Understanding the impact of cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory disabilities on learning and communication is crucial in education, especially the IDEA Act. Understanding these impacts allows educators to tailor their instructional methods to meet the unique needs of each student, including but not limited to using different teaching strategies, technologies, or support services to enhance the learning experience and accommodate the various learning styles. To create meaningful and effective IEPs, educators need to understand how disabilities impact their students to better develop goals, accommodations, and support services tailored to the individual student.

Learned: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to education. Although I work with students who are Special needs and are diagnosed, in general ed, there are classrooms with undiagnosed students. It's essential to understand the impact of various disabilities so that educators can create inclusive environments catering to their students' diverse learning needs. It helps promote a learning atmosphere where all students can participate and succeed regardless of their abilities. Understanding the student's cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory disabilities helps guide the development of goals, accommodations, and support services tailored to the individual needs of each student. Understanding the impact of disabilities is essential for schools to meet their legal obligations and ensure equitable education for all students.

Description: Article two shows a picture of the class's independent workstation and task box activities. You place one in each drawer, and students must complete all three activities at a pace convenient for them. Differentiating enables teachers to provide targeted support and accommodations to meet the specific needs of each student. By tailoring instruction to students' individual interests and preferences, educators can enhance engagement and motivation. Educators must consider developmental differences to adjust their teaching methods to support each student's cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Implementing differentiation helps personalize the learning experience for each student because they develop at different rates.  

Connection: 1J) differentiates strategies, materials, pace, levels of complexity, and language to introduce concepts and principles so that they are meaningful to students at varying levels of development and to students with diverse learning needs;  It is important to differentiate strategies, materials, pace, levels of complexity, and language when introducing concepts and principles to students. This approach is known as differentiated instruction, and it recognizes and accommodates students' diverse needs, abilities, and learning styles. Students enter the classroom with different levels of readiness for learning. Some may have a strong foundation in one area, while others struggle and vice-versa. Differentiating the pace,  complexity, strategies, and instruction materials helps ensure that all students are challenged and supported while fostering their critical thinking skills. When students find the material relevant and accessible, they are more likely to be actively involved in learning. 

Learned: Students have different learning styles, including visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile preferences. Differentiating instruction allows educators to present information in various ways, ensuring that each student can grasp and retain the material. Differentiation also promotes an inclusive learning environment by acknowledging and valuing the diversity within the classroom, fostering a sense of belonging for all students, regardless of their background, abilities, or learning styles.