Evaluating Claims to Avoid Pseudoscientific and Unproven Practices in Special Education

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason C. Travers
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Conservative Approach ◽  
Intervention Effectiveness ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
Special Education Professionals ◽  
Made In

Special education professionals are charged with using evidence-based practices, but various unproven, disproven, and pseudoscientific interventions continue to proliferate. Unproven and ineffective interventions emerge and are adopted for various reasons. Ineffective interventions are inevitably harmful and require professionals to adopt a conservative approach that both minimizes potential for harm and maximizes potential for educational benefit. This is fundamental to the evidence-based movement, but special education professionals may not recognize and avoid ineffective interventions. This article aims to improve recognition of potentially ineffective interventions by shedding light on aspects of science, pseudoscience, and some mistakes frequently made in evaluating claims of intervention effectiveness. By becoming familiar with the distinctions between science and pseudoscience, and by developing an understanding of how errors in thinking are used to promote and defend interventions unsupported by empirical evidence, special education professionals can better protect their students with disabilities from potential harms associated with ineffective practices.

Evidence-Based Practices for Music Instruction and Assessment for PreK–12 Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 788-826
Author(s):  
Robyn Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Students With Autism

This chapter addresses the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) by special education practitioners in instruction and assessment while providing music educators guidance toward implementing these practices in instruction and assessment for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within universal design for learning (UDL) inclusive classrooms. Included are behavioral characteristics of students with ASD that music educators need be cognizant of in inclusive settings; federal education laws and policies that have provided students with disabilities rights to a quality education; and selected special education EBP and accommodations deemed as viable interventions for teaching and assessing PreK-12 standards-based music curriculum for students with ASD. Music educators may determine the PreK-12 music assessments aligned to appropriate EBP and accommodations for students with ASD are beneficial resources when designing and implementing curriculum, instruction, and assessment linked to the 2014 National Core Arts (Music) Standards (NCAS) with supporting Model Cornerstone Assessments (MCAs).

An Alternative to Least Restrictive Environments: A Continuum of Support to Regular Physical Education

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Block ◽  
Patricia L. Krebs
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Regular Education ◽  
Adapted Physical Education ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
Regular School ◽  
Special Education Professionals ◽  
Levels Of Support

The concept of least restrictive environments (LRE), originally conceived by Deno (1970) and Reynolds (1962) to advocate for a range of special education placements for children with disabilities, has become synonymous with a continuum of physical education placement options for students with disabilities. Many models have been presented over the years. Options range from full-time regular physical education in a regular school to full-time adapted physical education in a special school or facility, with various placement options in between. The emphasis of these models is on varying the placement to meet the needs of the student with disabilities. Taylor (1988) has identified several flaws to the concept of LRE placement options. In addition, many special education professionals advocate placing all students with disabilities in regular education with varying levels of support (e.g., Stainback & Stainback, 1990). This paper discusses an alternative to the traditional continuum of LRE placement options. This new model presents a continuum of support which emphasizes how much and what type of assistance is provided to a particular student with disabilities that will enable him/her to succeed in regular physical education.

Evidence-Based Practices and Implementation Science in Special Education

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan G. Cook ◽  
Samuel L. Odom
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Implementation Science ◽  
State Level ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Disciplinary Field ◽  
Outcomes For Children

Establishing a process for identifying evidence-based practices (EBPs) in special education has been a significant advance for the field because it has the potential for generating more effective educational programs and producing more positive outcomes for students with disabilities. However, the potential benefit of EBPs is bounded by the quality, reach, and maintenance of implementation. The cross-disciplinary field of implementation science has great relevance for translating the promise of EBPs into positive outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. This article examines the history, extent, and limitations of EBPs and describes the emergence and current state of implementation science as applied in special education. Subsequent articles in this special issue of Exceptional Children address a range of issues related to implementation science in special education: the research-to-practice gap, dissemination and diffusion, adherence and sustainability, scaling up, a model for state-level implementation, and fostering implementation through professional development.

scholarly journals Special Education and Severe Disabilities in Costa Rica: Developing Inclusion in a Developing Country

2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Stough
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Severe Disabilities ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Educational Assistance ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
Special Services ◽  
Special Education Professionals ◽  
Diagnostic Label

Special education has been part of the Costa Rican public education system for more than 60 years. Approximately 10% of the 75,000 students who receive special services have a severe disability; however, there is a chronic shortage of personnel trained to educate students with significant educational needs. In the last 5 years, Costa Rica has promulgated four educational service models that extend special education expertise: Consulting teachers, educational assistance teams, itinerant teams, and resource centers. These models more equitably distribute the technical skills and knowledge of special education professionals throughout the country. In addition, the Department of Special Education has developed a pragmatic educational classification system that describes the level of modifications required by students with disabilities, rather than one that is driven by their diagnostic label. Few publications have been written about special education in Costa Rica. This is the first historical overview of the development of inclusion in this country.

scholarly journals The Role of Performance Feedback and Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices for Preservice Special Education Teachers and Student Outcomes: A Review of the Literature

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Anne Schles ◽  
Rachel E. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Performance Feedback ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Evidence Based Practices

Given the importance of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for improving outcomes for students with disabilities, it is key that preservice special education teachers have the opportunity to implement EBPs with high levels of fidelity during their teacher preparation program. For this reason, the authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to answer the question: Does providing performance feedback improve preservice special education teachers’ fidelity of implementation of EBPs and outcomes for students with disabilities? Five studies were found which met inclusion criteria. These studies demonstrated a clear functional relationship between performance feedback and preservice teachers’ increased fidelity to the EBP(s). Across studies, there were mixed effects in student outcomes when preservice teachers increased their fidelity to EBPs. Limitations of the current analysis and the included studies are discussed along with future implications for researchers and practitioners.

Age of Majority in Special Education and the Compliance-Driven Denial of Student Dignity and Autonomy

2022 ◽  
pp. 420-435
Author(s):  
Charles B. Walters ◽  
Barbara Imle ◽  
Anthony J. Plotner
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
Student Autonomy ◽  
Education Act ◽  
Surrogate Decision ◽  
Age Of Majority

Ethical imperatives, the importance of self-determination, and evidence-based practices in transition direct special education professionals to ensure students with disabilities receive support that prepares them to exercise their rights as they approach adulthood. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes mandates that address the process of transferring educational decision-making authority to students as they approach the age of majority. There is evidence, however, that indicates there are challenges with implementing such mandates as the use of surrogate decision-making mechanisms, such as guardianship, continue to be favored over less restrictive alternatives. This chapter outlines information for professionals seeking to support students as they approach the age of majority and encourages the use of strengths-based approaches, rather than approaches that center student deficits and IDEA compliance. This chapter emphasizes the importance of utilizing less restrictive alternatives to guardianship that promote student autonomy and self-determination.

Creating Culturally Responsive and Evidence-Based Lessons for Diverse Learners With Disabilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambra L. Green ◽  
Melissa Stormont
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Referrals For Special Education

Students with disabilities or who are at risk for disabilities, and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds typically receive disproportionately more negative consequences in schools, including office disciplinary referrals and referrals for special education evaluation. In an effort to decrease the overrepresentation of culturally, ethnically, and racially diverse students receiving punitive disciplinary practices and inaccurate referrals for special education services, it is imperative that teachers utilize evidence-based practices and create lessons that are culturally responsive to increase the likelihood that students are engaged in instruction and not in problem behaviors. This article outlines how teachers can develop lessons that implicitly or explicitly focus on culture and incorporate key evidence-based practices for working with challenging behavior. A lesson planning tool is provided to assist teachers in their efforts to be systematic in their incorporation of discussed practices in their instruction.

A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses in Special Education: Exploring the Evidence Base for High-Leverage Practices

2021 ◽  
pp. 074193252110634
Author(s):  
Gena Nelson ◽  
Sara Cothren Cook ◽  
Kary Zarate ◽  
Sarah R. Powell ◽  
Daniel M. Maggin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Intensive Instruction ◽  
Disability Categories ◽  
Meta Analyses

It is crucial that special education teachers are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Despite federal legislation and efforts of the field to identify and disseminate evidence-based practices for students with disabilities, it is uncertain whether all special education teachers provide instruction based on the best available research. To better prepare special education teachers, McLeskey et al. proposed 22 high-leverage practices (HLPs). We conducted this systematic review of meta-analyses to provide an initial investigation of the experimental evidence reporting on the effectiveness of the HLPs for students with, or at risk for, a disability. Results indicated the largest amount of evidence from meta-analyses related to intensive instruction, explicit instruction, and social skills, with few meta-analyses reporting on collaboration and assessment. The results highlighted disproportional evidence according to disability categories. Implications for future research, practice, and teacher education are discussed.

Moving Research into Practice: Can We Make Dissemination Stick?

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-180
Author(s):  
Bryan G. Cook ◽  
Lysandra Cook ◽  
Timothy J. Landrum
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Education Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
What Works ◽  
Effective Dissemination ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Practice Gap ◽  
Traditional Approaches

Although researchers in special education have made significant advances in defining and identifying evidence-based practices, scholars often constitute an insular group that disseminates research findings primarily through outlets and venues targeting like-minded researchers using traditional approaches. Thus, despite tangible results in determining what works, using dissemination approaches that fail to resonate with or influence practitioners represents an important but often overlooked contributor to the ongoing research-to-practice gap in special education. The authors argue that empirical and theoretical literature outside of special education may offer insight into how ideas take hold, which may be especially relevant to the effective dissemination of evidence-based practices. Drawing on Heath and Heath's (2008) model, the authors describe 6 characteristics of messages that are likely to “stick”: (a) simple, (b) unexpected, (c) concrete, (d) credible, (e) emotional, and (f) stories. The authors consider each in terms of implications for dissemination of special education research findings, and urge special education researchers to consider researching, refining, and applying dissemination strategies that can make special education research matter on a broader scale.

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