General Education Classroom Environment Analysis

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document used by schools in order to map out a plan of action for those that are in need of special education. An IEP is created for students who have been classified with a disability and are between the ages of 3 and 21. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written statement of the educational program designed to meet a child’s individual educational needs. Every child who receives special education services must have an IEP. An individualized education program has the goal of setting reasonable improvement

Placement decisions related to students with disabilities is an issue that arises from providing a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) and the least restrictive environment (LRE). While FAPE and LRE are not new requirements, the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) continues to be open to interpretation and implementation of the mandates (McGovern, 2015). A student’s least restrictive environment is the setting where the student can be integrated with his non-disabled peers. IDEA requires that students with disabilities be educated in the most integrated, least restrictive environment (Carson, 2015); however, this is where the grey area enters. The interpretation of what the least restrictive environment is, depends

In 1991 the Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was replaced by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This law was passed to provide free and appropriate public education to every child with a disability. It requires that each child with a disability “have access to the program best suited to that child’s special needs which is as close as possible to a normal child’s educational program” (Martin, 1978). The Individualized education program (IEP) was developed to help provide a written record of students’ needs and procedures for each child that receives special education services. The IEP will list all the services to be provided, the student's performance level, academic performance, and

“One of the essential roles of special education teachers is coteaching and working with other professionals, as well as communicating with family members and between special education teachers and other school-related professionals(Vaughn & Bos, 2015, p. 114)”. With the importance of a least restrictive environment special education and general education teachers are working together in a classroom with varying levels and abilities of learners. It is vitally important to have an effective relationship between the two teachers while developing and implementing lesson plans for learners with special needs. The physical space and dynamics of the classroom should fit the needs of the students and the established procedures should ensure a highly functional environment. Importantly, educators need to communicate to families “encouragement about what they can do at home and about an effective plan for providing instructional supports for their child(Vaughn & Bos, 2015, p. 114)”.

The IEP is intended to help children reach educational goals more easily than they otherwise would. IEP is meant to ensure that students receive an appropriate placement, not "only" special education classrooms or special schools. It is meant to give the student a chance to participate in "normal" school culture and academics as much as is possible for that individual student. In this way, the student is able to have specialized assistance only when such assistance is absolutely necessary, and otherwise maintains the freedom to interact with and participate in the activities of his or her more general school peers. This program is very helpful for students because parents can work together with teachers to develop a plan, to help the student do better in school and to success in school. The IEP describes the goals the team sets for a child during the school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them.

Interviewing the special education supervisor has made me aware of how important my role is as a regular education teacher to special students who need additional support in my classroom. The goal of the teacher is to ensure that the IEP is followed to ensure the academic success of all students. IEP stands for Individual Education Plan and the plan is usually developed when students have several deficiencies in certain key subject areas such as: reading comprehension, basic reading, reading fluency, written expressions, math calculation, and math reasoning. Students are referred to the special education department usually in elementary school, additionally; according to the high school special education supervisor there are very few referrals

Beakstead, personal communication, October 31, 2013). Alternately, another student’s area of concentration might be based solely on independent living skills at home or with caretakers, and less focused on academic goals. As the goals are implemented by the special education team the student’s achievements can be evaluated daily, weekly, or monthly and in independent and group settings until mastery of the IEP goal is achieved, and where the learning goals of the IEP are age and skill level appropriate and address the future needs of the student. Additionally, these experiences encourage opportunities to practice new knowledge and skills, where teacher-directed and student feedback is available, and where instructional practice and student expectations can be reflected on and adjusted if necessary (Johnson-Gerard, 2012).

The necessity of education for students throughout the United States and the world continues to grow, making it necessary for teachers in all areas. Though most special education teachers work in public school settings, the need for teachers in residential areas or as tutors in homes or hospital settings still remains ("Teachers-Special Education"). Within the school setting, special educators can take on different roles. Their role may include supporting the general education teacher in the regular education classroom or they may offer resources in a special education setting. The term “inclusion” is often used for special education services offered by supports and accommodations in a regular education classroom with grade level curriculum. “Pull out” services are often in a special education classroom in smaller group settings with academics adjusted to meet their needs. The duties of a special education teacher often combine these responsibilities by determining what will best meet the needs of students.

In accordance, the first step is to determine that there is enrollment room for a conventional placement. With that being approved, the next step is to determine if a prospective child’s needs exceed "conventional" supports provided within a general education setting, or within already established Special Education Programs. Guidelines regarding enrollment of space-available students who require special education services are very restrictive. If a child’s needs involve the implementation of additional supports, such as, medically related services to include counseling, psychiatric services, Physical

It is true that people with Attention Deficit Disorder struggle in school or in everyday situations, but they can adapt and learn ways to use this disability to their advantage. There are many people that are and can become very successful despite having Attention Deficit Disorder. Explaining attention deficit disorder is not easy, there is a lot of myths and controversy about this disorder. I know first-hand the struggles and the controversy surrounded by Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) because it was hard for me being diagnosed at an adult age. Some people might not believe that it is a true disorder or that it only affects children, it is real and does actually exist. It is not only just a childhood disorder; it does not

If these students were placed in a regular classroom, they were often functionally excluded, when no support was provided for the child or the teacher. In addition, many students were misclassified following inaccurate assessment, placement or tracking. These past practices have been deemed in violation of a student’s constitutional rights. As a result, IDEA now requires that the educational program that is developed by the IEP team provide the child with opportunities in the least restrictive environment (LRE). LRE is the most normal setting that is possible for the student. The team should take several things into consideration when making this determination. First, they must compare the benefits in the regular class and the benefits in the special class. The U.S. Court of Appeals determined that the appropriateness of placement in the regular classroom is not dependent on the student’s ability to learn the same things the other students learn in the regular classroom. The benefit of social interaction should also be taken into account. Second, consideration should be given to the potentially beneficial or harmful effects that placement in the regular classroom may have on the students involved. Finally, cost should be considered when determining the appropriateness of student placement.

I think it is great your set on your philosophes, but what if they don't work. You never know what your classroom is going to be like or how each new semester or school year will be different from the last. As teachers you have to change to fit everyenviorment, we are truly a work in progress we learn from year to year different ways to combat extream siduations. I think its good to fight for you ideas and belifes, but some times you have to be willing to change not what you believe, but how you go about teaching it to the kids. I was the last one which, fit me very we I am open to change and I hope to creat a safe and enriching the enviorment for my students. I think the test can be inacurate because we haas teachers change so much through

Inclusion began when The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), was passed in 1974. IDEA marked a turning point for the placement of children with special needs. This legislation stated that all school systems are required to receive federal funding to provide a free and appropriate education for all students regardless of how handicapped they are. The term inclusion does not actually appear in the text of IDEA. Instead, the law requires that children with special needs be educated to the maximum extent appropriate in the least restrictive environment. The IDEA says that the least restrictive environment is the regular education classroom. (Special Education, 2001) The IDEA requires the Individual Education Program (IEP) team to consider placement in the regular classroom in the beginning to determine if it is an appropriate placement for the child. The law specified different environments where special services could take place. The main goal was to place special education students in regular education classrooms for gains in academics and behavior for the children. (Singleton, n.d)

Students, who have ADHD have trouble focusing in class, are easily distracted, have very short attention spans, have trouble following through and completing projects, often jump around between tasks, and following simple conversations and instructions. This would obviously make being successful in a traditional classroom very difficult for students who have this type of learn disability. Simple things like going over instructions, explaining assignments or completing homework. These students could easily become behavior problems in the classroom as they have growing frustrations levels over not being able to complete tasks get good grades or follow along with the class. They would require preferential seating and one on one contact with the teacher. By sitting towards the front of the room that would allow to the teacher to constantly check for understanding and make sure the student is on task. They would also require ILP or individual lesson plans. ADHD students would need long term projects and complex assignments broken down into smaller more manageable segments and would need the curriculum and grading expectations adjusted according to the student’s ability. You could also pair an ADHD student with another student in the class to help them with simple task and assignments. These are some of the challenges and solutions that would face students that have ADHD in a classroom.

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, students with disabilities should be placed in a “least restrictive environment.” One of the main ideas of this act was to improve the learning experiences of students with disabilities by giving them learning opportunities outside of a special education classroom. The number of students with disabilities being placed in their general education classrooms is increasing more and more each year. The U.S Department of Education’s 27th annual report to Congress on the implementation of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2005) indicates that the number of students with disabilities in general education classrooms has risen to almost 50 percent. This is about a 17 percent increase from the 1997 U.S