Students with Learning Disabilities

Educational Services

Selection of Special Education Services

• Least Restrictive Environment – IEP committee – Continuum of services– On-going evaluation to determine

appropriateness

Educational Service Provisions and Related

Practices• The General Education Class

– Special materials and consultation– Itinerant services– Resource room assistance

• The Part- and Full-Time Special Class

• The Special School

• Reintegration of Students

From Mainstreaming to Inclusion

• Regular Education Initiative – Dual system of general and special

education not necessary

• The Inclusion Movement– The inclusion position– The continuum of alternative placements

position

Inclusion vs. Continuum of Alternative Placements

Rationale• Inclusive setting morally right—

segregation-like setting against what law has decided as just

• Reduces ill-effects of labeling• Efficacy of separation not

supported by research• Increases collaboration• Students with different abilities

placed together create appreciation for differences

• Separate placements sometimes needed due to intensive needs of students

• Continuum mandated by law and fought for by families for years

• General education teachers not prepared to work with students with disabilities

• No clear evidence that inclusion is appropriate for all

• Appreciation of differences occurs in society without forced inclusion

Research on Inclusion vs. Continuum of Alternative

Placements

• Efficacy of inclusion• Research on mainstreaming• Attitudes of general and special educators• Attitudes of students• Efficacy of special classes and resource

rooms

Program Factors Promoting Successful Inclusion

• Teachers Teaching Teachers• Strategies for increasing consultation time• Collaborative consultation• Teacher assistance teams• Coaching• Peer collaboration• Cooperative teaching• Communication skills for collaboration

Program Factors continued

• The Learning Disabilities Teacher– Consultation

• Students Teaching Students– Peer tutoring– Cooperative learning

• Limited Teacher-Engagement Instruction