Inclusion:

Working with Special Needs

Students in Mainstream Classrooms

 

Instructor Name:            Dr. Florah Luseno

Phone:                           509-891-7219

Office Hours:                8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday - Friday

Email:                            florahl@virtualeduc.com

Address:                        Virtual Education Software

                                      16201 E Indiana Ave, Suite 1450

                                      Spokane, WA 99216

Technical Support:        support@virtualeduc.com

 

Introduction

Inclusion: Working with Special Needs Students in the Mainstream Classroom was written to help teachers understand concepts and terms related to educating students in inclusive classrooms. The course also helps teachers learn about the continuum of placements school systems can use in providing special education services to students with disabilities. The course helps you understand the federal definition of students entitled to special education services, as well as procedures you can use in determining whether these students can be educated in the regular classroom. The course also identifies and describes the roles and responsibilities of special and general educators in providing special education services to students educated in inclusive classrooms.

 

This computer-based instruction course is a self-supporting program that provides instruction, structured practice, and evaluation all on your home or school computer.  Technical support information can be found, in the Help section of your course.

 

Course Materials

Title:                Inclusion: Working with Special Needs Students in Mainstream Classrooms ®

Author:            Dr. Florah Luseno

Publisher:         Virtual Education Software, Inc. ©2002

Instructor:        Dr. Florah Luseno

 

Academic Integrity Statement

The structure and format of most distance-learning courses presume a high level of personal and academic integrity in completion and submission of coursework. Individuals enrolled in a CBI distance-learning course are expected to adhere to the following standards of academic conduct.

 

Academic Work

Academic work submitted by the individual (such as papers, assignments, reports, tests) shall be the student’s own work or appropriately attributed, in part or in whole, to its correct source. Submission of commercially prepared (or group prepared) materials as if they are one’s own work is unacceptable.

 

Aiding Honesty in Others

The individual will encourage honesty in others by refraining from providing materials or information to another person with knowledge that these materials or information will be used improperly.

 

Violation of these academic standards will result in the assignment of a failing grade and subsequent loss of credit for the course.

 

 

Level of Application

This course is designed as an informational course for K-12 regular and special education teachers. Information is provided to help you better understand current educational models being used to educate students with disabilities in mainstream settings.  This course will allow you to compare and identify how school districts in your own area are implementing inclusion programs, handling current inclusion issues, and some of the practices teachers are using to educate students in inclusive settings. 

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Course Objectives 

·         List and describe the federal definition of students with disabilities and the criteria used to determine if they qualify for special education and related services;

·         List and describe key concepts and terms related to educating students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms;

·         Describe the continuum of placements school systems can use to provide special education and related services to students with disabilities;

·         Identify and describe federal legislation and court cases that have contributed to the movement toward educating students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms;

·         List and describe the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of educating students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms;

·         List and describe procedures IDEA, Sect 504, and ADA require school systems and educators to use in assessing, identifying, and providing special education and related services to students with special needs;

·         List and describe the special education and related services school systems are mandated to provide to students with disabilities;

·         Describe procedures special and general educators can use to determine whether a student with special needs can be educated in the general education classroom;

·         List and describe the characteristics of effective inclusive programs;

·         Identify and describe the roles and responsibilities of special and general educators in providing special education and related services to students educated in inclusive classrooms;

·         Define the term “collaboration” and describe strategies special and general educators can use to work together in providing special education and related services to students in inclusive classrooms;

·         Describe the importance of differentiating instruction for students in inclusive classrooms and the components of instruction special and general educators have to consider in determining what to do;

·         List and describe instructional and assessment accommodations and modifications special and general educators can provide to students educated in inclusive classrooms;

·         List and describe factors that may result in students’ inappropriate classroom behavior;

·         Define “functional assessment” and describe procedures special and general educators can use to evaluate their classroom settings and identify variables that cause students’ classroom behaviors; 

·         List and describe behavioral management strategies special and general educators can use to structure their classroom setting and increase students’ appropriate classroom behavior and decrease inappropriate classroom behavior; and

·         List and describe theoretical models that specify the relationship between students’ behaviors and learning and the reason that it’s important for teachers to know these models.

 

Course Description

Information provided in this course has been divided into five chapters, which should be completed in the order in which they are presented in the program. Once you have completed these five chapters, you should have a better understanding of the concept of inclusion and how it came about. You are strongly encouraged to read additional journal articles, books, and research materials outside the course material to gain a better understanding of current issues related to educating students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms.

 

Chapter 1: The Concept, Terminology and the Law

This chapter focuses on the definition of students with disabilities, factors that have influenced the movement toward educating students in general education classrooms, and the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of inclusion. After reading information provided in this chapter, you should be able to:

·         Describe the federal definition of students with disabilities;

·         Describe the criteria school systems can use to determine whether a student falls under one of the categories of disabilities;

·         Describe key concepts/terms like “normalization,” “de-institutionalization,” “integration,” “mainstreaming,” and “inclusion”;

·         List and describe federal legislation and court cases that have contributed to the movement toward educating students with disabilities in the regular classroom;

·         Describe the terms “Free Appropriate Public Education” and “Least Restrictive Environment”;

·         List and describe the continuum of settings school systems can use to educate students with disabilities; and

·         List and describe the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of inclusion.

 

Chapter 2: Types of Students, Identifying Them and Providing Service

Chapter two focuses on federal laws and regulations that grant parents of students with disabilities civil rights and specify procedures school systems are mandated to go through in evaluating and identifying students with special needs and the special education and related services that must be provided. After reading the information provided in this chapter, you should be able to:

·         List and describe legal procedures IDEA 2004, Sect 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans With Disabilities Act - ADA require school systems and educators to use in evaluating and identifying students with disabilities and the special education and related services needed;

·         List and describe the provisions specified under IDEA and the mandate each provision specifies school systems must use in working with students with special needs;

·         Describe the special education and related services school systems are mandated to provide to students with disabilities;

·         Describe the civil rights parents and students with disabilities are granted under IDEA, Sect 504, and ADA;

·         Describe the purpose of an Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.) and an Individualized Family Service Plan and the components or information that needs to be specified in each document;

·         List and describe the similarities and differences between regulations specified under IDEA, Sect 504, and ADA; 

·         List and describe procedures school systems are expected to go through at the pre-referral and referral stages;

·         Describe the roles and responsibilities of teachers, school-based problem solving team members, and the multidisciplinary (I.E.P) team in identifying and providing special education and related services to students with special needs; and

·         Describe procedures special and general educators can use to determine whether students with disabilities can be educated in the general education classroom.

 

Chapter 3: Special and General Educators Working Collaboratively

This chapter focuses on the impact the movement toward educating students with special needs in the general education classroom has had on the roles and responsibilities of special and general educators, strategies teachers can use to work collaboratively, and procedures teachers can use to determine whether students need accommodations and modifications. After reading information provided in this chapter, you should be able to:

·         Describe the impact the movement toward educating students with special needs in the general education classroom has had on teachers;

·         Describe the role and responsibilities of teachers in terms of educating students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms;

·         Define the term “collaboration” and describe different collaborative models special and general educators can use to provide special education and related services to students educated in general education classrooms; and

·      List and describe procedures special and general educators can use to determine modifications students may require in inclusive classrooms.

 

Chapter 4: Differentiated Instruction, Accommodations and Modifications

Chapter four focuses on the reasons that special and general educators need to differentiate instruction and provide instructional and assessment accommodations and modifications to students educated in inclusive classrooms. After reading the information provided in this chapter, you should be able to:

·         Specify regulations that mandate that students should be provided with adaptations;

·         Define the term(s) “differentiated instruction,” “accommodations,” and “modifications”;

·         List and describe instructional accommodations and modifications teachers can provide to students educated in inclusive classrooms; and

·         List and describe types of assessment accommodations teachers can provide for students during testing. 

 

Chapter 5: Methods for the Classroom

Chapter five focuses on procedures special and general educators can use to structure their classroom environment and manage students’ behaviors. After reading information provided in this chapter, you should be able to:

·         List and describe factors that may result in students’ inappropriate classroom behavior;

·         Define “functional assessment” and describe procedures special and general educators can use to evaluate their classroom setting; and

·      List and describe strategies special and general educators can use to structure their classroom setting and increase students’ appropriate classroom behavior and decrease inappropriate classroom behavior.

·         List and describe the importance of identifying the relationship between students’ behaviors and learning;

·         List and describe the behavioral, sociological, social learning, ecological, biomedical, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral theoretical models of human behavior; and

·      List and describe (according to the behavioral, sociological, social learning, ecological, biomedical, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral theoretical models) the relationship between students’ behaviors and learning.

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Student Expectations

As a student, you will be expected to:

·         Complete all information chapters, showing a competent understanding of the material presented.

·         Complete all chapter exams, showing a competent understanding of the material presented.

·         Complete a review of any chapter on which your examination score was below 70%.

·         Retake any chapter examination, after completing an information review, to increase that final examination score to a minimum of 70% (maximum of three attempts).

·         Complete all writing assignments with the minimum word count shown for each writing assignment.

·         Complete a course evaluation form at the end of the course.

 

Examinations

At the end of each course chapter, you will be expected to complete an examination designed to assess your knowledge. You may take these exams a total of three times. Your last score will save, not the highest score. After your third attempt, each examination will lock and prevent further access.  The average from your exam scores will be printed on your certificate.  However, this is not your final grade since your required writing assignments have not been reviewed.  Exceptionally written or poorly written required writing assignments, or violation of the academic integrity policy in the course syllabus, will affect your grade.  As this is a self-paced computerized instruction program, you may review course information as often as necessary. You will not be able to exit any examinations until you have answered all questions. If you try to exit the exam section before answering all questions, your information will be lost. You are expected to complete the entire exam in one sitting.

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Writing Assignments

This course has two required writing components.

 

To save your essays:

 

When you select the question or article you wish to write on, simple text or text edit will

automatically be launched. When you are finished, simply click SAVE. 

You must SAVE before you write another essay or move on to another part of the course.

 

1)       Essay Requirement:  Critical Thinking Questions

There is a Critical Thinking Question for each chapter.  You will do research on the question and write a brief essay relating it to the course content (and your personal experiences when possible).  To view the questions, click on REQUIRED ESSAY and choose the Critical Thinking Question that you would like to complete; this will bring up a screen where you may enter your essay.  You must write a minimum of 500 words per essay. 

You must SAVE before you write another essay or move on to another part of the course.

 

2) Essay Requirement:  Journal Articles

This task requires you to write a review of three journal articles of your choice on a topic related to this course.  You may choose your topic by entering the Key Words (click on the Key Words button) into a search engine of your choice (Google, Dogpile, Yahoo, etc.). Choose three relevant articles and write a 200-word review of each. You may also access the ERIC system and choose a related topic from a journal listed in that system.  Or you can access www.scholar.google.com or www.findarticles.com .Write a critical summary of the information given in each article, explaining how the information relates to, supports, or refutes information given in this course. Conclude your paper with your thoughts and impressions. (200 words per journal article minimum, 400 words maximum.) Be sure to provide the journal name, volume, date, and any other critical information to allow the instructor to access and review that article.

 

To write your essays, click on REQUIRED ESSAY and choose the Journal Article that you would like to complete; this will bring up a screen where you can write your review. When you are ready to stop, click SAVE.  You may go back at any point to edit your essays.  For more information on the features of this assignment, please consult the HELP menu.

You must SAVE before you write another essay or move on to another part of the course.

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Instructor Description

Dr. Florah Luseno, an associate professor at Chicago State University, developed Inclusion: Working with Special Needs Students in Mainstream Classrooms. She received her Ph.D. in administration and supervision of special education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). Her background experience is in the area of special education, with specific interest in emotional and behavioral disorders, mental retardation, and inclusion. Dr. Luseno has conducted research on inclusion, and has presented at several workshops and conferences on strategies for assessing and teaching students with disabilities.

 

Contacting the Instructor

You may contact the instructor by emailing florahl@virtualeduc.com or by calling (509) 891-7219 Monday through Friday. Calls made during office hours will be answered within 24 hours. Phone conferences will be limited to ten minutes per student, per day, given that this is a self-paced instructional program. Please do not contact the instructor about technical problems, course glitches, or other issues that involve the operation of the course.

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Technical Questions

If you have questions or problems related to the operation of this course, please try everything twice. If the problem persists please check our support pages for FAQs and known issues at www.virtualeduc.com and also the Help section of your course.

 

If you need personal assistance then email support@virtualeduc.com or call (509) 891-7219.  When contacting technical support, please know your course version number (it is located at the bottom left side of the Welcome Screen) and your operating system, and be seated in front of the computer at the time of your call. 

                                                        

Minimum Computer Requirements

Please refer to VESi’s website: www.virtualeduc.com or contact VESi if you have further questions about the compatibility of your operating system.

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Refer to the addendum regarding Grading Criteria, Course Completion Information, Items to be Submitted, and how to submit your completed information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography (Suggested reading)

Bartlett, L., Etscheidt, S., & Weisenstein, G. (2007). Special education law and practice in public schools (2nd ed.).

Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Boyle, J., & Weishaar, M. (2001). Special education law with cases. Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Cohen, L., & Spenciner, L. (2005). Teaching students with mild and moderate disabilities: Research-based practices. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Emmer, E., Evertson, C., Clements, B., & Worsham, M. (1997). Classroom management for secondary teachers (4th ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Federico, M., Herrold, W., & Venn, J. (1999). Helpful tips for successful inclusion: A checklist for educators. Teaching Exceptional Children, 32(1), 76-82.

 

Friend, M., & Bursuck, W. (2006). Including students with special needs: A practical guide for classroom teachers (4th ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Haager, D., & Klingner, J. (2005). Differentiating instruction in inclusive classrooms: The special educator’s guide. Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Hardman, M., Drew, C., & Egan, M. (2006). Human exceptionality: School, community, and family (4th ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Henley, M., Ramsey, R., & Algozzine, R. (2006). Characteristics of and strategies for teaching students with mild disabilities (5th ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Hobbs, T., & Westing, D. (1998). Promoting successful inclusion through collaborative problem-solving. Teaching Exceptional Children, 31(2), 12-19.

 

Hutchinson, N., & Martin, A. (1999). Fostering inclusive beliefs and practices during preservice teacher education through communities of practice. Teacher Education and Special Education, 22(4), 234-250.

 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. (1997). P.L. 105-17, 105th Cong., 1st sess.

 

Kampwirth, T. (1999). Collaborative consultation in schools: Effective practices for students with learning and behavior problems. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Kauffman, J., Mostert, M., Trent, S., & Hallahan, D. (2002). Managing classroom behavior: A reflective case-based approach (3rd ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Kendall, P., & Hammen, C. (1998). Abnormal psychology: Understanding human problems (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company.

 

Kerr, M., & Nelson, C. (1998). Strategies for Managing Behavior Problems in the Classroom (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Lewis, R., & Doorlag, D. (2006). Teaching special students in general education classrooms (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Mayrowetz, D., & Weinstein, C. (1999). Sources of leadership for inclusive education: Creating schools for all children. Educational Administration Quarterly, 35(3), 423-449.

 

McCarthy, M. (1998). Inclusion of children with disabilities: Seeking the appropriate balance. Educational Horizons, 116-119.

 

Murdick, N., Gartin, B., & Crabtree, T. (2007). Special education law (2nd ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

National Association of State Board of Education. (1995). Winning ways for inclusive schools. The Education Digest, 61(4), 28-31.

 

Oberti v. Board of Education of the Borough of Clementon School District, 801 F.Supp.1392 (D.N.J. 1992).

 

O’Shea, L., Stoddard, K., & O’Shea, D. (2000). IDEA ’97 and educator standards: Special educators’ perceptions of their skills and those of general educators. Teacher Education and Special Education, 23(2), 125-145.

 

Pearman, E., Huang, A., & Mellblom, C. (1997). The inclusion of all students: Concerns and incentives of educators. Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, 32, 11-20.

 

Peterson, M., & Beloin, K. (1998). Teaching the inclusive teacher: restructuring the mainstreaming courses in teacher education. Teacher Education and Special Education, 21(4), 306-318.

 

Polloway, E., & Patton, J. (1997). Strategies for teaching learners with special needs (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Putnam, J., Spiegel, A., & Bruininks, R. (1995). Future directions in education and inclusion of students with disabilities: A Delphi investigation. Exceptional Children, 61(6), 553-576.

 

Rivera, D., & Smith, D. (1997). Teaching students with learning and behavior problems (3rd ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Sacramento City Unified School District v. Holland, 786 F.Supp.874 (E.D. Cal. 1992).

 

Salend, S. (1998). Effective mainstreaming: Creating inclusive classrooms (3rd ed.). Columbus, OH: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Smith, T., Polloway, E., Patton, J., & Dowdy, C. (2006). Teaching students with special needs in inclusive settings (4th ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company.

 

Thompson, S., Quenemoen, R., Thurlow, M., & Ysseldyke, J. (2001). Alternate assessments for students with disabilities. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc.

 

Thousand, J., Villa, R., & Nevin, A. (1997). Including all the experts: Effective collaboration for student success. Reading Today’s Youth, 1(3), 13-17.

 

Thurlow, M., Elliott, J., & Ysseldyke, J. (2003). Testing students with disabilities: Practical strategies for complying with district and state requirements (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc.

 

Tomlinson, C. (2005). How to differentiate instruction in mixed-ability classrooms (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Tomlinson, C. (2005). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Walker, J., & Shear, T., (1999). Behavior management: A practical approach for educators (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Wheeler, J., & Richey, D. (2005). Behavior management: Principles and practices of positive behavior supports. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Wood, J. (2006). Teaching students in inclusive settings: Adapting and accommodating instruction (5th  ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

Yell, M. (2006). The law and special education (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.

 

 

Updated 1/22/10 JN