You have been asked by your principal to prepare a presentation for the new special education parents in your school on learner rights and teacher responsibilities related to special education.
2. Introduction to Special Education
Special Education serves two purposes
● Meeting the unique educational needs of the child as a result of their disability
● To assist the child in learning skills and information that other children in the
general education setting are learning.
3. FAPE
Free Appropriate Public Education
● All persons with a qualified
disability within a school district
jurisdiction are entitled
● Services must meet individual
needs
● Must be educated with
nondisabled students
CHILD FIND
● Principle guiding a child’s
educational program
● Special Education law requires
children with disabilities to be
learning with peers.
● Decisions about how this
happens include parents,
teachers, and specialists
● Schools are required to
find all students who
have disabilities and
may be entitled to
special education
services.
● Covers every child from
birth to 21 years of age.
● Schools must evaluate
every child it knows or
suspects has a disability
LRE
Laws Governing Special Education
4. Expectations of the Profession
● Treat every student with respect, kindness, and understanding.
● Listen to your students without reprisal, don’t minimized their problem,
don’t ask others to help unless asked.
● Small steps make big progress.
● Offer parents specific praises and concerns.
● Building relationships with students and parents is a must.
● Be patient.
● Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
5. Code of ethics for Special Education
The National Association of Special Education Teachers states (2018)
1. Teachers nurture the academic, psychological, physical, and social potential of all
children with special needs.
2. Teachers create professional and supportive learning environments for students
with special needs.
3. Teachers commit to their own learning to promote their professional development.
4. Teachers respect, support, and collaborate with colleagues and other
professionals in the best interest of children with special needs.
5. Teachers collaborate with parents of children with special needs and the
community, building trust and respecting confidentiality.
6. Teachers advance the intellectual and ethical foundations of the learning
community.
6. Practices to meet the needs of all learners
Kimmy Fink of We Are Teachers (2020) states
1. Listen- the best way to understand your students.
2. Focus on the student-put yourself in your students’ shoes
3. Know students’ rights- familiarize yourself with relevant laws and policies.
4. Focus on long-term goals-consider the long-term impact.
5. Foster strong relationships with school leaders and colleagues.
7. Practices to promote learners meeting full potential
1. Discover student strengths
2. Provide positive role models with disabilities
3. Use strength-based learning strategies (assistive technology, UDL tools)
4. Help students discover positive future careers
5. Create positive modifications in the classroom
8. Practices to demonstrate respect for learners
Clarissa Martinez of TeachingStrategies.com (2019) writes:
1. Offer students choices
2. Plan for possibilities
3. Empower children to document their learning
4. Encourage community support
5. Provide a variety of learning materials
9. Practices to demonstrate collaboration with learners,
families, and colleagues.
Special Education Guide (2013) states:
1. Communicate regularly
2. Keep goals in mind
3. Be prepared for homework
4. Watch for teachable moments
5. Make education a priority
