Welcome to the official website for the 2024 TASH Conference!
Each year, the TASH Conference brings together our constituents to share resources and success stories, learn about field-driven best practices, and network within a community engaged in shared values. The Conference is attended by passionate leaders, experts, and advocates from every corner of the disability community. Conference attendees are influential in their fields and communities, and play an important role in the provision of services and supports for individuals and organizations around the world; and include professors and researchers from leading institutions; those involved in local, state, and federal governments and public policy; special and general educators, and school administrators; self-advocates, adult service providers; students, family members, and many others. This year’s conference theme is Celebrate Together: Let the Good Times Roll!
Click on the "Registration and More" tab for additional information about our Conference location, registration, reserving a guest room, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, and more! The full Conference schedule is now available for viewing. Registered attendees will receive an invitation to log in and create a personalized schedule.
This session will highlight the quality indicators of school and district leadership that promote and sustain inclusive schools. Participants will explore these indicators: 1) Communicate a Vision 2) Distributive Leadership among Team Members 3) Model and Plan for Collaboration/Co-Teaching 4) Use Data to Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan 5) Model and Encourage Inclusive Language and Practices An interactive process will be used to engage with each indicator using scenarios and examples from the experiences of leaders in districts and schools across the country. These scenarios will serve as the foundation for discussion, assessing readiness, and action planning toward realizing the full and meaningful inclusion of learners with disabilities in general education within their neighborhood schools. Participants will leave with an understanding of each indicator as well as a plan for implementation in their respective district and/or school.
Professional Learning Coordinator, Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education
Brittni joined MCIE in 2023 as a Professional Learning Coordinator after over 20 years in education with Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS). She has served as a Special Educator, Assistant Principal, Inclusive Education Facilitator, and Supervisor of Instructional Performance. Throughout... Read More →
Thursday December 5, 2024 9:00am - 11:30am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin GHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
In this session, participants will examine research surrounding inclusive practices and brainstorm how to address potential roadblocks for supporting inclusion of students with complex needs. Participants will understand how to better support all students with accessing the general education curriculum. An example of a planning process for breaking down standards into key components and engagement strategies will be explored for various subjects and grade levels. To solidify their knowledge, participants will be given a standard and student scenario, as well as the big ideas, essential vocabulary, and major skills. Participants will then work in small groups to select engagement strategies to support their student’s access and participation. Groups will share their selected engagement strategies with the whole group. Participants will create an engagement tool to be used with their students.
School-based occupational therapy practitioners (SBOTs) are invaluable for enabling inclusive participation for all students. However, existing literature highlights the need to shift from impairment-focused remedial approaches to inclusion-focused interventions. This presentation will discuss the findings of a qualitative multiple case study on inclusive OT practices in elementary schools for students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN). The study addresses two critical needs in education: (1) providing skilled support to make general education environments accessible and engaging for all learners, and (2) aligning SBOT practices with contemporary educational demands for students most vulnerable to segregation. The practical insights from this study will help us rise together as a collaborative team to promote authentic inclusion in the school community.
Attention all urban educators and administrators! Please join us as we present and discuss the systems change process underway in our district , with special emphasis on the challenges of creating inclusive school communities in a struggling urban school district with a large number of segregated special education classrooms. Our district has just completed Year 1 of our work on systems change for inclusive education. We would love to connect with other educators doing similar work to share ideas, strategies, and successes.
This presentation will illustrate the inception through current day practices of an inclusive, K-8 school community; including roadblocks, missteps, small and large successes. The presenters will introduce you to how each stakeholder (students, families, practitioners, community) contributed to the development and growth of a school where students of all ages and abilities can be immersed in meaningful and relevant learning in a safe and supportive environment inclusive of all learners.
This session highlights new research on the importance of context in providing equitable opportunities to learn (OTL). Our original work highlighted how the concept of OTL in general education literature was missing components to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities. We proposed the use of Universal Design for Learning and attention to individualized needs within the OTL framework to better define access to the general curriculum and to consider the specific aspects of equitable learning opportunities to improve access and outcomes for students with complex support needs. While our original work alluded to context and placement, we did not address it directly. The updated OTL extends our understanding of how to advocate for inclusive practices by bringing together UDL 3.0 and new research on the importance of context for equitable learning opportunities.
In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we tested two reading curricula designed to teach early literacy skills to nonspeaking students—Early Literacy Skills Builder and Accessible Literacy Learning. Twenty-four participants were randomized to an ELSB, ALL, or control group, and we measured outcomes for all groups at 4 time points for phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and word reading. We used growth curve modeling to analyze our data. We found statistically significant effects for both ELSB and ALL compared to the control group on some outcomes, although ELSB outperformed ALL on most measures. We will report on effects of each intervention relative to each other and a control group, and share practical implications for practitioners.
Matt Brock has two major lines of research including (1) inclusion and peer-mediated intervention for students with significant disabilities, and (2) coaching paraprofessionals to implement evidence-based practices. He currently is implementing a large-scale federally-funded efficacy... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Foster 2Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
This study sheds light on potential inequities in student outcomes perpetuated by current disability labeling and placement systems, particularly for historically marginalized students. We used multi-level linear modeling to explore how student characteristics and their intersections affect the educational placement of public school students who received special education services in Utah across 6-years. Students’ eligibility for the state alternate assessment based on significant cognitive disability (SCD) had the strongest negative effect on educational placement, followed by disability labels often associated with complex support needs (i.e., multiple disabilities, intellectual disability, autism). The placement patterns of students of color and White students across autism and intellectual disability labels were reversed and disproportionate, suggesting White families have greater access to knowledge of relative resources and stigma associated with different disability labels.
Kirsten Lansey (she/her), Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of special education. Her overarching goal is to conduct research, teaching, and service that contributes to systemic educational change so that students with complex support needs receive inclusive and equitable learning... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 8Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
We have created tools for students, families, and professionals that help leverage the IDEA evaluation process to not simply establish eligibility for Special Education, but as a guide to an IEP team, to a school, or even to a school district on how to support learners with extensive support needs in general education in a way that centers and respects the student and guarantees meaningful access, progress and engagement, is anti-ableist, and sets up the foundation for authentic relationships. There is a way to use the mandated documentation in anti-ableist, respectful, and strength-driven ways that center the student and their preferences, meaningful engagement, and authentic relationships, reframe the evaluation process as more humanistic, inclusive, empowering, and authentic, and that will help the evaluation team to reframe their ideas of Disability and Special Education.
Placement in the general education classroom is critical for ensuring the inclusion of students with disabilities in schools. However, several variables (e.g., student age, school district type) have been implicated as potentially influencing classroom placement decisions despite established protocols guiding the process. Due to the non-public nature of disability-related data in Canada, little is known about the patterns and trends characterizing classroom placement in this context. This study analyzed special education program placement data provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education to describe the extent to which students with 13 disability types have accessed their education in general education classroom placements over time. Discussion focuses on implications for both policy and practice.
Preparing teachers to effectively support students with extensive support needs and complex communication needs who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) necessitates collaboration with speech pathologists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, parents, and families. Training should cover AAC methods, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, and practical experiences and should be taught through coursework and meaningful clinical experiences. Collaborative partnerships ensure educators gain insights into best practices and access resources, and ongoing professional development keeps teachers aware of current best practices. Cultivating a school culture that values diversity in communicative expression is crucial for creating inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive academically and socially.
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 11Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
As a medium of storytelling and information dissemination, podcasts hold immense power in shaping public discourse and perceptions. When it comes to inclusive education, they offer a unique platform to highlight diverse voices and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of inclusivity in learning environments. Through engaging narratives and expert interviews, podcasts can dismantle preconceived notions and play a pivotal role in advocating for educational reforms that accommodate all learners. They serve as a beacon of awareness and a catalyst for change, inspiring communities to embrace and support inclusive practices. In this TASH talk, I will underscore the transformative potential of podcasts in promoting positive attitudes toward inclusive education, thereby contributing to a more equitable society.
This session includes a collaborative presentation with a self-advocate and a teacher educator. The session will begin with a first-hand account of the educational experiences of a non-speaking and Autistic individual in both inclusive and self-contained settings, in both a specialized school and in public schools. These educational experiences have informed a list of suggested practices for general educators, special education teachers, and paraeducators on how to best include and challenge students with complex communication needs in the general education classroom. The session will conclude with information on how to leverage voices from the local disability community by inviting self-advocates to present in university courses that are aimed to prepare inclusive-minded educators.
Katie McCabe is an Assistant Professor in the Exceptional Education Department at Buffalo State University, with a Ph.D. in Special Education and a minor in Qualitative Research Methods from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A former special education teacher in rural Upstate New... Read More →
Despite extensive research demonstrating the positive effects of inclusion for students with Intellectual Disability (ID) in general education, rates of full inclusion for this population remain low. Key components of successful inclusion include leadership that is committed to inclusive pedagogy and a shared vision across all stakeholders, including school staff, family, and community members. This qualitative study analyzes stakeholders’ definitions of inclusion at Sunshine Community Charter (SCC), a public charter (PK-6) whose mission is full, equitable inclusion for all, including those with ID, multilingual learners, and those with multiply-marginalized identities. Using Danforth & Naraian’s (2015) Foundational Priorities for Inclusive Education as a framework for authentic inclusion, our findings demonstrate a streamlined, viable vision for inclusive pedagogy, environments, values, and belongingness for all learners. Implications for systems and policy change are discussed.
This presentation will explore the development and implementation of a partnership between UNLV’s Office of General Curriculum Access (OGCA) and the Nevada Department of Education’s Office of Inclusive Education (OIE). The collaboration aims to promote inclusive education by providing access to the general curriculum and a continuum of needed supports and services for students with extensive support needs. The OIE works to raise expectations and improve educational and employment outcomes for all students with disabilities through collaborative efforts with state and local partners. Through a partnership with the OIE, the OGCA provides educators with grade-aligned and standards-based curriculum materials, academic and behavioral support resources, and effective professional development. This session will share the challenges, strategies, and successes of the partnership and will provide attendees with actionable insights into creating similar collaborations in their own contexts.
This session discusses research about how collaboration instruction during teacher education can impact the ability of general and special educators to work with one another to create more inclusive and effective classrooms. We will discuss course design and collaboration best practices and look at data from the course that shows the positive impacts of the experience on preservice teachers and K-12 students including nuances associated with teacher understanding and practices of collaboration.
Hello everyone! I am excited to be attending TASH this year! I am an Assistant Professor and the Special Education Endorsement Coordinator at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. I am excited to share the work I do in teacher education and learn from others as well! I would... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 5CHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
The Every Student Succeeds Act indicated alternate assessments (AA) are for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Given the federal government actions to enforce the 1% state cap for AA participation, many students who previously took the alternate assessment are now taking the general state assessment. That means these students must be placed in the general classroom to learn the state standard curriculum. This presents a challenge to educators in educating students who may have been instructed according to modified curriculum and alternate achievement standards. This presentation will discuss results from a mixed methods study including a secondary data analysis, classroom observation, and teacher interview group to determine student characteristics and successes and challenges educators face when teaching students who have moved from the AA to the general assessment. Implications for policy and practice will be discussed. Related tools and resources will be shared.
Research Associate, National Center on Educational Outcomes / University of Minnesota
Dr. Wu is an experienced psychometrician and the statistical expert for the National Center on Educational Outcomes. She has been working with large-scale assessment data since 2000. She has also had experience on analyzing state-wide assessment datasets and different types of da... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 5AHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Teachers can play a vital role in curriculum development and refinement. This presentation highlights recent mixed methods research on a teacher-implemented multiplicative word problem-solving intervention for students with extensive support needs (ESN) in small groups. We examined the involvement of special education teachers in iterative curriculum development through a multi-year embedded experimental study. Using quantitative data from a multiple-baseline across classrooms single-case design and qualitative data from interviews and observations, we evaluated whether an established evidence-based practice remained effective when implemented by teachers in routine conditions and assessed its usability, feasibility, and acceptability. The presentation will share student outcomes but primarily focus on teachers' perceptions and roles in the research and curriculum development process.
Jenny would like to talk to you about general curriculum access, teaching math to students with autism/intellectual disability, and how teachers make instructional decisions for students with extensive support needs. Jenny was the 2015 TASH Alice Hayden award winner.
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 12Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
A secondary data analysis using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Kindergarten 2011 (ECLS:K 2011), explored the impact of social-emotional skills (SEL) on reading achievement over time for students with disabilities. We found working memory predicts achievement. but no statistically significant differences in achievement or SEL skills across different disability categories.
Adapted books can serve as a support for students with complex support needs in general education classes. However, creating adapted books can be difficult for a special education teacher with a demanding schedule. Therefore, this session presents a feasible and efficient process for creating adapted books extended from the guidelines originally developed by Apitz et al. (2017). This process begins with special educators becoming familiar with the story through summarizing and outlining the original text. Next, collaboration with the general education teacher is recommended to identify the essential themes and key vocabulary. Special educators are encouraged to follow the book's plot structure and use visual supports, such as images or videos, based on key events in the text. Also included in this session are suggestions on how teachers can more effectively and efficiently adapt books using modern technology tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E.
Roxanne Loyless is a second-year Ph.D. student in Special Education at The University of Kansas. Her research interests center on inclusive education practices, strategies, and supports for students with significant support needs.
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville HallHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Many autistic adults express dissatisfaction with their K-12 school experiences and face social rejection more often than their non-autistic peers. However, autistic youth’s voices are rarely included in educational research or policy-making. In this study, we examined autistic people’s perceptions of ableism in American K-12 school systems through interviews with 19 autistic adolescents and adults in a qualitative, community-participatory study. We found seven major themes in these interviews: Erasure Conformity Isolation Oppression Hidden curriculum Misaligned school priorities Authority Our research highlights the systemic barriers autistic people face in educational settings that either go unnoticed or are intentionally ignored. We examine the impact of said barriers on outcomes and experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Specifically, we examine these themes’ negative impacts on identity formation, self-advocacy, and self-acceptance for autistic student
Students with IDD are not typically included in school engagement for both academic and social activities. Though laws seek to encourage inclusive education for all students, at the Secondary School level, inclusion is lacking due to academic expectations in the classroom, social opportunities, buy in from both staff and fellow students, and because of typical expectations and norms in a public high school. In order to remedy this problem, we propose that school stakeholders work together in order to create inclusion opportunities for all students. This presentation discusses inclusion successes and perspectives held by a variety of stakeholders: teachers, related service providers, students with and without disabilities, parents, and school administrators. A call to action is offered for all stakeholders to find innovative, intentional, and joyful opportunities for true engagement for all students.
Belonging is the feeling that we are part of a larger group that values, respects, and cares for us. What is the role of belonging when promoting a successful inclusive school experience? What does brain research tell us about our reactions to inclusion and exclusion? How do we create a school culture where adults and children all have a sense of belonging? What instructional strategies strengthen a sense of belonging and academic progress for learners with complex and extensive support needs? In this session, these questions will be answered with examples from research. Participants will engage in discussion and learn how to create situations in schools that help all learners thrive, and how to work to remove ableist stereotypes.
Director of Special Projects, Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education
Dr. Carol Quirk is the founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and current Director of Special Projects for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE). For the last 30 years, Carol has worked with States, districts, schools, and families to promote inclusive education... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville HallHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
This study describes a meta-synthesis of studies (K = 12) using qualitative methods to analyze IEP documents comparing studies that addressed students with high-incidence disabilities compared to studies that addressed students with extensive support needs.
When students with extensive support needs (ESN) are included with their same-aged typically developing peers in general education settings, it is not meaningful if they are not interacting with peers or the curriculum. Peer support arrangements address this problem by guiding peers without disabilities to provide academic and/or social support students with ESN in general education settings through training conducted by a teacher or paraprofessional. In this systematic literature review, we replicated the Brock & Huber (2017) review of 11 studies and identified 4 additional studies that examined peer support arrangements as an intervention for students with ESN. Several of those studies include evidence of peers benefiting from providing support. We conclude that peer support arrangements are an effective intervention for social outcomes and are a promising intervention for academic outcomes in a variety of general education settings for students with ESN.
The fight for inclusion of students with disabilities post-Brown v. Board of Education emphasizes the civil right to education for all. Segregated education denies this right and perpetuates outdated practices. Inclusive education, proven effective, ensures access to grade-level instruction, empowering students for self-directed lives. It also combats disability stigma, fostering empathy and understanding. Moreover, inclusion facilitates meaningful relationships, vital for mental well-being. Ultimately, inclusion ensures equitable access to education and upholds the fundamental principle that education is a civil right for all students.
Too often, the experience of disability has been narrated and mediated by the non-disabled. Online platforms have created space for autistic individuals that type to communicate to participate in the discourse community to share perspectives, comment on schooling experiences, and provide guidance -- narrating their own experience of autism. For the purpose of this consideration of discursive and ideological trends, we analyze blogs written by autistic individuals that type to communicate. What can analyzing online materials by autistic typers teach us about their experiences? And what are implications for a reimagined inclusive education that seeks not to reify ableism, but create space for neurodivergent communicators?
Promoting inclusion for students with extensive support needs, particularly those with disabilities from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, is crucial. Successful inclusion involves effective interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals and families. We interviewed professionals from diverse fields such as family advocacy, education, psychology, and speech-language pathology. These individuals participated in the Northern California LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program, which aims to train leaders, educate community providers, and conduct research to promote systemic change. Participants have experience supporting a wide range of families and students as a collaborative team. Our goal was to identify factors contributing to successful inclusion for these families and students. We will focus on identifying facilitators and barriers to inclusion, and additional supports and training that professionals believe are necessary.
This presentation discusses results of a qualitative study conducted with parents of children with disabilities enrolled in schools within an inclusive charter system. The purpose was to gain a better understanding of parent perspectives around how schools support a culture of belonging for families of students with disabilities, and to determine school practices which facilitate belonging. Data was collected from focus group interviews conducted with parents of elementary and middle school aged children with disabilities. Analysis was conducted using grounded theory methods. Implications of familial belonging and how schools can support family belonging will be discussed. By the end of the session, participants will be able to (a) understand the importance of familial belonging for families of students with disabilities and (b) identify key ways schools can promote familial belonging.
This session will present results of a comprehensive systematic review of practices in deafblindness. Studies were evaluated for method and evidence level based on What Works Clearinghouse (2022) criteria. Results indicate need for intervention studies conducted with increased rigor. An important purpose of research is the identification and dissemination of knowledge to positively affect student outcomes. It is essential that practitioners have access to information about practices that have an evidence-base supporting their effectiveness. However, within the field of deafblindness, there is currently limited research guiding practice which has resulted in the use of educational practices with no or limited research support for this population. The current systematic review is unique in that the purpose was to evaluate all identified existing intervention studies focused on children in the field of deafblindness for methodological soundness and for level of evidence.
This study aimed to understand the experiences of teachers with neurodiverse learners in their classrooms. Using a critical qualitative methodology and a DisCrit theoretical framework, practicing educators were interviewed to consider how they define neurodiversity, how they support neurodiverse students in the classroom, and challenges they experience including neurodiverse learners. Across the study, educators were asked about their perceptions and experiences with neurodiverse learners. Three significant themes were constructed using a DisCrit framework for analysis: 1) discussion of teachers’ general understanding of neurodiversity; 2) the learning strategies developed and implemented by teachers to include neurodiverse learners; and, 3) the challenges teachers articulated around inclusion for neurodiverse students. Within their descriptions and discussions, it was clear that educators still have implicit bias that impacts how they view neurodiverse students and their potential.
When students with extensive support needs are included in general education, it is essential that educators engage in authentic and ongoing collaboration. In this session, two general educators and their special educator co-teaching partner will share the benefits and components of authentic collaboration, key strategies and tools they utilize to support collaboration, how they find joy and have fun in their partnerships, and how to advocate for administrative support and accountability to promote shared ownership. Let the good times roll!
Students with extensive support needs (ESN) deserve highly qualified teachers, yet often their teachers are not licensed, not prepared to teach them, or missing all together in areas with extreme teacher shortages. There are major disparities across the United States related to access to teacher preparation programs in the area of ESN. For example, in Kentucky, there are 17 such programs leading to this licensure compared to 0 in Louisiana. In other states, such as Connecticut, a specific license to teach students with ESN is not required. Due to these disparities, it is likely to students with ESN in different states have different levels of access to highly qualified special educators. In this session, we will lead a discussion of the discrepancies across states, as well as if specific licensure for students with ESN is even needed as we approach more inclusive schooling.
Dr. Amy Clausen (she/her) is an assistant professor of special education at Winthrop University. Her focus is preparing teachers of students with extensive support needs. Amy is committed to ensuring her students have access to literature featuring diverse and representative char... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin AHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
The 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as ESSA, includes a 1% cap on state-level participation rates in the alternate assessment. Enforcement of this policy has required many states to revisit their alternate assessment participation criteria and implementation. Through engaging in processes to decrease alternate assessment participation, states have reported some push back from teachers as they navigate how to design effective school programming for students who have switched from the alternate to the general state assessment. State and district leaders need resources to support educators who are serving students who have shifted from the alternate assessment to general assessment. This presentation will showcase a series of newly-developed, research-based free resources that states, districts, and schools can use to ensure that all students with disabilities have equitable access to rigorous learning - no matter what assessment they take.
Students with complex support needs are at risk of not receiving adequate personalized supports during grade-aligned instruction in general education. To ensure access to the general education curriculum and environment, special educators need expertise to provide effective supports to students with complex needs. This study examined what supports teachers assigned in response to a piloted intervention intended to help teachers better understand how to support students while maintaining grade-aligned learning. An analysis of 25 priority plans for K-12 students with complex support needs was conducted using a qualitative reflexive thematic approach. We found special education teachers undertake labor-intensive and creative preparation of supports in addition to bearing the primary responsibility of implementation. In addition, visual supports, peer supports, and systematic instruction practices were found to be widely used.
Roxanne Loyless is a second-year Ph.D. student in Special Education at The University of Kansas. Her research interests center on inclusive education practices, strategies, and supports for students with significant support needs.
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin GHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Despite the preponderance of scholarly literature advocating the benefits of including students with disabilities in general education, students with ESN continue to be educated in restrictive settings. Limited research exists on how to facilitate access to inclusive opportunities in these segregated self-contained settings, yet this is primarily where these students are educated. Additionally, educators of these students are often caught in the continuum; teaching in a system that is set to exclude their students while attempting to facilitate access. This qualitative research study used collective case study methodology to analyze this gap in the literature. Through semistructured interviews and related documentation, findings highlight the perspectives of special education teachers, including the supports, educational practices, and barriers they experience when providing access for their students with ESN. These findings lead to recommendations for future research & practice.
Inclusive education is a fundamental right of all students, including those with the most significant support needs. Creating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that effectively support these students is crucial for their academic, social, and emotional development. This presentation aims to explore strategies for developing comprehensive IEPs tailored to the unique needs of students with significant support needs. Through a combination of research insights, practical examples, and collaborative discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to create inclusive learning environments that empower every student to thrive.
Associate Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Dr. Halley has over twenty years of experience as a teacher in the public school system and university settiings. Dr. Halley is also a consultant with the Colorado Department of Education. Her research interests include inclusive education, transition and post-secondary services... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 11Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Simply placing students with significant disabilities in the same educational environment with peers does not result in meaningful inclusion. FLIP Recess (Focusing on Learning, Interaction, and Play at Recess) is an intervention designed to increase interactions, interactive play, and social connections for elementary students with significant disabilities at recess. In a randomized controlled trial of FLIP Recess, we measured social interactions, interactive play, social skills and social connections through over 600 observations of children at recess and survey data from teachers, parents, and students. Interim findings from over 80 participants show that FLIP Recess produces large effects on all of these outcomes, and that effects generalized to other times of the school day and outside of school. We will share outcome data from the randomized controlled trial as well as practical implications for teachers, paraeducators, and related service personnel.
Teachers should be familiar with adaptations that can make learning accessible for all students. Providing access to the general curriculum not only meets requirements outlined in important legislation such as the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act, but it elevates expectations for students with extensive support needs. Among the challenges special education teachers face in providing access are a lack of resources, time, and skills needed to make curriculum adaptations. Given these challenges, teachers can benefit from additional resources and training. This session presents a study on teacher perceptions of curriculum adaptations as a resource for promoting access to the general curriculum and professional development. The study addresses questions related to teacher involvement in curriculum decisions and the challenges and benefits of making adaptations. The findings aim to improve teacher training and outcomes for students with extensive support needs.
This presentation will present the methods and findings from a case study that explored the phenomenon of belonging from the perspective of Cora, a school-aged child with an intellectual disability and significant support needs. Findings from the study illuminated how Cora's microsystem influence her sense of belonging in the school, neighborhood, and her community.
The SETTT for Success project is an OSEP-funded grant to support trainers of teachers of students with extensive support needs (ESN) in planning academic-focused professional development (PD). Trainers plan PD using the SETTT for Success PD cycle, a series of phases trainers complete to use data to determine PD priorities, use backwards design to design and develop PD, and then evaluate the effectiveness of their PD. The PD is designed to target comprehensive academic instruction, defined by this project as building conceptual understandings across and within content areas to know when, why, and how to apply knowledge to solve problems and answer questions. Initial findings show the SETTT PD cycle is useful for trainers in planning academic-focused PD. In this presentation, we will describe the SETTT PD cycle, the resources available to implement the cycle, and invite participants to apply the PD cycle, using SETTT PD resources, to their own local context or a case study example.
