Exceptional Learners Exceptional Learners Some students have abilities

Exceptional Learners

Exceptional Learners • Some students have abilities beyond the average learner and others have abilities that fall below the average learner. • The needs of both types of students need to be addressed in the classroom. • Realize that the definitions for disabilities are generalized, open to change, and influenced by the current perceptions of normality.

Exceptional Learners • The American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) has changed its definition of mental retardation seven times since 1950 to reflect the shifting views of people with cognitive disabilities. • Cautions about labeling also apply to gifted and talented students. Like other groups that are “different”, gifted students have been labeled as ‘geeks, ’ ‘brainy, ’ ‘nerds, ’ etc.

Gifted and Talented • Those students who have demonstrated a high level of attainment in intellectual ability, academic achievement, creativity, or visual and performing arts, are evenly distributed across all ethnic and cultural groups and socio-economic classes. • Woolfolk (2001) defines giftedness “as a combination of 3 basic characteristics: aboveaverage general ability, a high level of creativity, and a high level of task commitment or motivation to achieve in certain areas. ”

Gifted and Talented • Approaches to meet the educational needs of gifted students: – Accelerated programs – Self-directed or independent study – Individual education programs – Alternative or Magnet Schools

Students with Disabilities • Current language that educators need to use and be aware of emphasizes the concept of “people first. ” • You should say, “a child with a visual impairment, ” not a “blind child. ” • The percentage of students with disabilities participating in federally funded programs increased 5% from 1977 to 2000.

Students with Disabilities • Various tests and other forms of assessment are used to identify persons in various categories of disability. • In 1975, Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94 -142) • This act guaranteed children between the ages of 3 and 18 with disabilities a free and appropriate public education.

Students with Disabilities • In 1990, this law was replaced by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). • The new law extended the availability of a free, appropriate education to youth with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21. • In 1997, the Amendments to IDEA were passed. • The IDEA 97 went on to emphasize educational outcomes.

Students with Disabilities • IDEA 97 requires that all students with disabilities be educated in a least restrictive environment. • This means that a students must be mainstreamed into a general education classroom whenever such integrations is possible.

Students with Disabilities • Individualized Education Plan (IEP) – written document that meets the child’s needs and specifies the educational goals, methods for achieving those goals and the number and quality of special educational services to be provided. • Due process – IDEA gives parents the right to disagree with an IEP or an evaluation of their child’s abilities.

One Size Does Not Fit All • Differentiating instruction – The classroom environment should support a variety of learning options. – Classroom organization: whole class, small flexible groups, and one-on-one – Math and reading groups change over time – Nature of assignments are changed to meet the individual needs of students taking their interests and abilities into account

Differentiating Instruction • • • Cooperative learning groups Problem-based learning Direct Instruction Mastery Learning Inquiry Learning

Differentiating Instruction • Move students from a more structured to more open-ended environment • Create research groups based on similar interests • Recognizing and developing activities geared toward the learning styles and 8 different intelligences as they apply to specific students, encourages increased motivation to learn and develop students’ abilities.