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Introduction

You are in your first year of teaching and have been assigned to a school with a relatively high special education population.Though your teacher preparation program required you to take a course in special education, it was nearly two years ago and you’re not sure you remember enough to be helpful.You vaguely remember some of the terminology (inclusion, mainstreamed, least restrictive environment) but can’t recall the specifics of the legislation.You definitely don’t remember what your legal responsibilities are and have never seen a copy of an individualized plan that all special education students must have.

You have two choices – panic or become better informed!You decide that the latter choice is the more responsible of the two even though the first is quite tempting.You formulate an action plan that includes online and onsite research.You’ll visit credible websites to learn more about the history and legislation.To gain practical insights, you’ll contact your friend, Sharmeen who is currently teaching in a summer program for special education students.Hopefully, she’ll be able to answer some of your questions about the day-to-day realities of meeting the needs of special education students, provide you will an opportunity to review documentation and even observe. 

The WebQuest below outlines specific information you will gather from the web and the school site.

To complete this assignment you will assume the roles of researcher and teacher.As a researcher you will visit various websites to learn more about learning disabilities.As a teacher you will first create a brief descriptive case study of a student with a specific learning disability(s), then construct an action plan that outlines the ways in which you will accommodate the student’s learning needs through your instructional and assessment practices.

To begin, research the web using the online links below to formulate thoughtful and knowledgeable responses to these questions:

1)What are some of the historical milestones in Special Education?

2)What are the origins of Special Education?

3)What prompted national Special Education law?

4)What are the fundamental provisions of the legislation regulating the education of students with special needs?

5)What do the following have to do with Special Education legislation and how do each impact schools:  FAPE,  IDEA, 504, IEP, LRE, ADA?

6)What is the prevalence of children with special needs?

7)What is the IEP process?

8)What is Inclusion and what is its on impact general education teachers?

9)What is the preferred role of parents, teachers, and students in meeting the student’s learning needs?

10)What kinds of support services, within school and outside of school, are available to general education teachers working with special needs students?

Step 1.Using the questions listed above to guide your investigation each group member will visit these online resources.

IDEA Practices

FAPE: The Families and Advocates for Partnership in Education

Federal Resource Center for Special Education

Office of Special Education Programs

National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education

KidSource Online

IDEA Practices: Laws and Regulations

Step 2.Arrange to visit a school to meet with special educators and other school personnel in order to complete the scavenger hunt worksheet.Access at least one child’s file in order to review that child’s IEP.(Permission and access will have to be obtained through the special educator with whom you meet.Confidentiality is essential).If possible, arrange to observe at least one class period in which the above child participates in order to make connections between the child’s IEP and classroom experiences.

Assuming the role of a teacher and working collaboratively with the members of your group:

Step 3.Apply the knowledge you have gained as researchers by creating a handout to be shared with class members that summarizes the essential aspects of what you’ve learned.Include resources that you think will be beneficial to others.

Step 4. Lead a mini-workshop to inform class members about special education legislation and history and to share what you learned in your school sites.