Algebra Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities in the Era of Common Core

2021 ◽  
pp. 105345122110326
Author(s):  
Tricia K. Strickland

The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM) were released more than 10 years ago. This set of standards outlines the mathematics that all students should know and be able to do to prepare them for post-secondary education and employment. Students with learning disabilities (LD) continue to underperform in relation to their peers without disabilities in secondary mathematics. As high school Algebra I is a required course for the majority of students, research-based instructional practices should be utilized to support students with LD in Algebra I. This article summarizes recent research on instructional practices for teaching algebra content that aligns to the CCSSM. Specifically, three types of instructional practices have been found to promote progress in the high school algebra content: (a) concrete-representational-abstract integration, (b) virtual manipulative instruction, and (c) gestures and diagrams.

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
Susan Whitmer

Key drivers that influence space design in today's higher education environment are technology, changing demographics, increased focus on student engagement, and carbon footprint. Just as important, but not typically on the list, is the growing population of students with Learning Disabilities (LD) for which the physical environment plays an increasingly important role in successful learning outcomes. The research goal was to examine the role of “place” as a component of academic success for those students with LD. Methodology included both literature review and the development of a case study analysis of three post-secondary institutions in the United States. The universities were chosen based on the size of the university, the campus setting, and the mission of the Disabilities Services team. The conclusion of the research surfaced three specific components of the physical environment that hold an increased value for a student with LD. These components are wayfinding, formal learning spaces, and disability services spaces. The key to integrating a sense of place with the needs of students with LD is moving beyond meeting the minimum standards of the legal mandates and bridging the principles of universal design to the built environment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn D Hansen ◽  
Debra L Dawson ◽  
Jacqueline A Specht

Despite increasing rates of entry, students with learning disabilities (LD) continue to face barriers to completing post-secondary education. Faculty attitudes and knowledge are important factors in supporting students with LD, yet little is known about faculty preparation. No valid, reliable, easy-to-administer inventory exists to assess the perceptions of faculty about their preparedness for the task of teaching students with LD. The Faculty Preparedness Questionnaire (FPQ) was developed to measure faculty perceptions of preparedness for teaching students with LD based on two factors: knowledge and attitude. For this study, 101 community college instructors completed the original questionnaire consisting of 22 items. After factor analysis, the 17-item FPQ was determined to be a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of instructor attitudes and knowledge as components of their perceptions of preparedness. This research contributes to the current dialogue regarding best practice for inclusive post-secondary education.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Connor ◽  
Wendy Cavendish ◽  
Armineh Hallaran ◽  
Louis Olander

Little evidence exists about how students with Learning disabilities (LD) recognize, understand, and utilize existing supports to ensure successful graduation from high school. In this article we ask: What are the supports available to high school students with LD that help them graduate? (a) What/who are some school-based supports they identify? (b) What/who are some non-school supports they identify? We share data from semi-structured interviews with forty high school students. Findings reveal: teacher support in the form of pedagogical choices, individualized support, and after-school support; counseling expertise in the form of academic advisement and emotional support; effective family-school collaboration; discrete family support outside of school; and various forms of self sustenance. Implications of these findings are discussed before recommendations are made to various stakeholders in the school community with the view to improving supports of students with LD toward helping them successfully graduate.


2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry J. Kortering ◽  
Laurie U. de Bettencourt ◽  
Patricia M. Braziel

Success in high school algebra is gaining increased importance for all students, including those identified as having learning disabilities (LD). Despite its importance, we know little about what students with and without LD say about their algebra classes. This study examined findings from a survey of 410 general education students and 46 peers with LD. The survey established data relative to the participants' favorite and least favorite classes, most difficult (and best) parts of algebra class, and ideas for helping more students to succeed. In addition, student participants reported whether selected interventions and accommodations were helpful.


2021 ◽  
pp. 875687052110279
Author(s):  
Karen Eastman ◽  
Gail Zahn ◽  
Wendy Ahnupkana ◽  
Bryson Havumaki

Graduating from high school and moving to the next phase of life can be difficult for any student but is particularly so for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Social and communication difficulties, sensory concerns, and narrow interests can negatively affect these students’ opportunity for postsecondary education and employment. Preparing students with ASD for post-school success may be especially challenging in rural schools, due to limited opportunities and resources. This article describes a rural high school transition services program designed to support students with ASD and other disabilities in becoming gainfully employed after high school or accessing post-secondary education. The program, designed by a student’s transition team starting in Grade 9, is based on recommendations from the literature and includes inclusion and co-teaching, work skills classes, collaboration with outside agencies, and the development of a student portfolio.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089590482110199
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Freeman ◽  
Michael A. Gottfried ◽  
Jay Stratte Plasman

Recent educational policies in the United States have fostered the growth of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career-focused courses to support high school students’ persistence into these fields in college and beyond. As one key example, federal legislation has embedded new types of “applied STEM” (AS) courses into the career and technical education curriculum (CTE), which can help students persist in STEM through high school and college. Yet, little is known about the link between AS-CTE coursetaking and college STEM persistence for students with learning disabilities (LDs). Using a nationally representative data set, we found no evidence that earning more units of AS-CTE in high school influenced college enrollment patterns or major selection in non-AS STEM fields for students with LDs. That said, students with LDs who earned more units of AS-CTE in high school were more likely to seriously consider and ultimately declare AS-related STEM majors in college.


Author(s):  
Anita Minh ◽  
Ute Bültmann ◽  
Sijmen A. Reijneveld ◽  
Sander K. R. van Zon ◽  
Christopher B. McLeod

Adolescent depressive symptoms are risk factors for lower education and unemployment in early adulthood. This study examines how the course of symptoms from ages 16–25 influences early adult education and employment in Canada and the USA. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (n = 2348) and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 79 Child/Young Adult (n = 3961), four trajectories (low-stable; increasing; decreasing; and increasing then decreasing, i.e., mid-peak) were linked to five outcomes (working with a post-secondary degree; a high school degree; no degree; in school; and NEET, i.e., not in employment, education, or training). In both countries, increasing, decreasing, and mid-peak trajectories were associated with higher odds of working with low educational credentials, and/or NEET relative to low-stable trajectories. In Canada, however, all trajectories had a higher predicted probability of either being in school or working with a post-secondary degree than the other outcomes; in the USA, all trajectory groups were most likely to be working with a high school degree. Higher depressive symptom levels at various points between adolescent and adulthood are associated with working with low education and NEET in Canada and the USA, but Canadians are more likely to have better education and employment outcomes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105345122110018
Author(s):  
Matthew L. Love ◽  
Kathy B. Ewoldt

Online learning continues to be an increasingly popular option in K–12 and postsecondary settings As this trend continues, it is important that the developers of online instructional environments and materials proactively consider the needs of all students. This includes determining how special education and specially designed instruction can be provided in online environments. For students with learning disabilities (LD), a systematic process for determining whether available learning materials address academic standards and specific student needs is key. To support practitioner lesson planning, this column provides guidance for aligning asynchronous learning materials to academic standards and the needs of students with LD. Guidance for supplementing and augmenting available materials is also provided.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 278-285
Author(s):  
Nicole S. Fenty ◽  
Melissa Brydon

Strong oral reading fluency skills are an important indication of good reading. In addition, reading engagement is often correlated with reading success. Unfortunately, students with learning disabilities (LD) often struggle to read fluently and engage with text. Incorporating graphic novels as part of a comprehensive reading program may help support student engagement with text during reading fluency instruction. This article outlines how teachers can use graphic novels as part of a comprehensive reading program to help engage students with LD in reading during fluency instruction. A brief summary of the literature surrounding comprehensive fluency instruction and the use of graphic novels is provided. In addition, a scenario is provided to illustrate guidelines for fluency planning and instruction using graphic novels. Finally, conclusions are summarized.


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