Curricular Philosophies Reflected in Individualized Education Program Goals for Students With Complex Support Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-294
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Kurth ◽  
Elissa Lockman-Turner ◽  
Kathryn Burke ◽  
Andrea L. Ruppar
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Individualized Education Program ◽  
Severe Disabilities ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Individualized Education ◽  
General Education Curriculum ◽  
K 12

Abstract Individualized education program (IEP) goals are meant to be personalized to address the unique needs of students with disabilities, while also reflecting the student's grade-aligned general education curriculum. IEP goals describe what, how, and where students with disabilities are taught, and reflect the curriculum used to provide instruction. In this study, we analyzed how IEP goals align with the different curricular philosophies for students with severe disabilities. Using a sample of 88 IEPs for students with complex support needs (i.e., severe disabilities) in Grades K-12, we found most goals (57%) reflect curricular philosophies of the 1970s–1990s (i.e., developmental, functional, and social inclusion) eras, with only 26% of IEP goals representative of modern curricular philosophies (i.e., grade-aligned academic content). We also found secondary-aged students were less likely to have grade-aligned academic goals compared to elementary-aged students. We offer implications for ensuring individualization and goals reflecting skills needed for the 21st century.

scholarly journals Status of Inclusive Educational Placement for Students With Extensive and Pervasive Support Needs

Inclusion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Morningstar ◽  
Jennifer A. Kurth
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Educational Placement ◽  
General Education Curriculum ◽  
Disabilities Education Act ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Education Act ◽  
Restrictive Environment

Abstract Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004 established procedural mandates and accountability requirements ensuring all students with disabilities participate and progress in general education curriculum. Broadly speaking, improvements toward greater access have been found for many students with disabilities; however, the extent to which this holds true for students with extensive and pervasive support needs is not evident. Past research associated with least restrictive environment (LRE) for students with extensive and pervasive support needs was considered when replicating previous research using the cumulative placement rate to analyze LRE data for students with extensive and pervasive support needs (autism, intellectual disability, deaf blindness, and multiple disabilities). Results indicate that student with extensive and pervasive support needs have substantially less positive LRE placement trends over the past 15 years with most placed in separate classrooms and settings. Recommendations for transforming federal and state policies and procedures are shared.

Addressing the General Education Curriculum in General Education Settings with Students with Severe Disabilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Ballard ◽  
Stacy K. Dymond
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
General Education ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Severe Disabilities ◽  
Education Curriculum ◽  
General Education Curriculum ◽  
Students With Severe Disabilities ◽  
General Education Classrooms

This systematic literature review examined research on stakeholders’ beliefs about addressing the general education curriculum in general education classrooms with students with severe disabilities (SD). The investigation was limited to studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1997 and 2015. Ten articles were identified and then analyzed using an inductive coding approach and thematic analysis. Secondary data analysis revealed four major themes centered on (a) method of access, (b) type of curriculum, (c) barriers/concerns, and (d) benefits. Overall, stakeholders were found to perceive social inclusion as more important than involvement and progress in the general education curriculum for students with SD. Stakeholders also perceived numerous challenges around facilitating access to the general education curriculum in general education classrooms.

Assistive Technology for Students With Disabilities

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 183-194
Author(s):  
Susan Larson Etscheidt
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Individualized Education Program ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
Individualized Education ◽  
Legal Requirement ◽  
Disabilities Education Act ◽  
Education Act

Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to consider a student’s need for assistive technology (AT). Despite this legal requirement, AT supports are often not available to students with disabilities. Many students with disabilities and their families have addressed the failure to consider and provide AT supports through litigation. The purpose of this article is to examine the case law pertaining to the assessment, selection, and provision of AT learning supports for students with disabilities. A legal analysis was conducted to determine litigation themes. Based on these results, several recommendations for IEP teams are proposed.

Distance Learning and Students With Extensive Support Needs: (Re)Defining Access to Education From a Distance

2021 ◽  
pp. 273247452110141
Author(s):  
Amy Hanreddy
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
General Education ◽  
Progress Monitoring ◽  
Individualized Education Program ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Promising Practices ◽  
School Closures ◽  
General Education Curriculum ◽  
Monitoring Strategies ◽  
Meaningful Engagement

Students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN) experience multiple barriers in accessing distance learning educational programs during school closures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These barriers include inaccessible formats, a lack of access to adequate support to access instruction, and a lack of available assistive technology. Access issues may result in further isolation of students and reduced access to general education peers and curriculum. Promising practices include close collaboration with families, connecting Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals to students’ daily routines, supporting access to the general education curriculum, strategic participation in online classes, meaningful engagement with typical peers, and the adaptation of progress monitoring strategies for distance learning formats.

Mothers' Perceptions of Satisfaction, Trust, and Power in the Individualized Education Program Process

Inclusion ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-262
Author(s):  
Belkis Choiseul-Praslin ◽  
Malarie E. Deardorff ◽  
Kristopher Hawk Yeager
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Individualized Education Program ◽  
Individualized Education ◽  
School Partnerships ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Iep Meeting ◽  
Iep Process ◽  
Education Act ◽  
Iep Team

Abstract Parent involvement in the development of an individualized education program (IEP) is a foundational tenet of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Unfortunately, mothers, the parent most likely to attend the IEP meeting, often report negative perceptions and even feelings of disillusion with the IEP process. Including mothers as equal members of the IEP team is crucial to student success, especially for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To determine the extent of mothers' satisfaction, trust, and perception of the power of the IEP process, we surveyed 929 mothers of students with disabilities. Survey results indicate mothers are neither overly satisfied nor dissatisfied with the process, but almost always perceive an imbalance of power between IEP team members. A high percentage of mothers reported experiences with bullying, coercion, and shame. The findings suggest that more efforts are needed to empower mothers during the IEP process and improve parent-school partnerships.

Are Students with Mathematics Learning Disabilities Receiving a FAPE?: Insights from a Descriptive Review of Individualized Education Program Plans

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany L. Hott ◽  
Joshua M Pulos ◽  
Tiffany K. Peltier ◽  
Corey Peltier
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Mathematics Learning ◽  
Individualized Education Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Individualized Education ◽  
Behavioral Skills ◽  
Independent School Districts

Students with mathematics learning disability (MLD) are entitled to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and related services as outlined by their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP provides a roadmap for educators to follow to enhance in-school and post-school outcomes. This study explored the IEPs of secondary students with MLD, enrolled in grades 6-12, attending 15 rural independent school districts in the southeast part of the United States. Results suggest secondary students with MLD have needs in (a) calculation; (b) fractions, decimals, and percentages; (c) functional mathematics; (d) reading, and (e) social and behavioral skills; yet, 70% of IEPs reviewed only included instruction in the general education setting, without specialized services. IEPs included a variety of accommodations but few goals facilitating access to grade level content or special education services to support specialized instruction to meet goals. Implications for practice, limitations, and implications for future research are discussed.

Personnel Preparation and Service Delivery Issues in Rural Areas: The State of the Art

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane M. Williams ◽  
Suzanne M. Martin ◽  
Robert K. Hess
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
General Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Personnel Preparation ◽  
General Education Curriculum ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Education Act ◽  
K 12

Preparation of high quality personnel to provide educational services to students with disabilities living in rural areas is, at best, challenging. Findings from a comprehensive study concerning the status of the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in rural settings and the issues such implementation presents to teacher education programs in these areas are discussed. Members of the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES) participated in the study. Results indicated that strategies for enhancing personnel preparation, recruitment, and retention of individuals to institutions of higher education and K-12 schools in rural settings include distance learning, on-site professional development opportunities, salary incentives/increments, and benefits. Linking evaluation data to the general education curriculum and determining how the student's disabilities affect his/her progress in general education are issues for practitioners implementing IDEA in rural settings. Recommendations are provided for enhancing personnel preparation and service delivery based on the results.

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