Despite an increased national focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction, students with high incidence disabilities continue to struggle with STEM content at both the K-12 and postsecondary levels. As a result, very few students with disabilities pursue STEM careers. This article provides K-12 special education…

This article presents a classroom teacher's perspective on one of the important requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) legislation and aligned language found in the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004)--that of aligning assessment and instructional practices with state academic content standard…

In November 2008, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments (ADAA), with an effective date of January 1, 2009. While other issues, such as the national economic crisis, dominated public attention at the time, the ADAA unobtrusively connected to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973…

Public speaking will continue to be an unsettling experience for some students, including those with disabilities. Experts have suggested several reasons for fearing public speaking; adequate preparation and practice can alleviate most of them. Using the PAVES (Posture, Attitude, Voice, Eye Contact, Smile) strategy described in this article can…

In elementary and secondary classrooms, educators use plants for various reasons. Plants are often used during learning activities and science experiments. Also, educators frequently decorate their classrooms with plants to make the room more inviting and comfortable. Few new educators have been informed of the potential hazards of commonly known…

This study focused on the perceptions of paraprofessionals regarding the roles they fulfill while working with children with disabilities in special education and inclusive settings. Students were in grades K-12 and represented a range of disability categories (e.g., autism spectrum disorders, serious emotional disturbance, development…

A comprehensive paradigm for the provision of career development services to a K-12 school population including those with special needs is presented in an easily understood format. This service delivery "tool" is intended to help teachers and administrators both acknowledge the career development services that they are currently providing and…

This article explores ways to include self-determination and self-advocacy goals and objectives in individualized education programs (IEPs). It identifies self-determination goals and offers guidelines on selection and writing of self-determination goals. Insets and tables include a review of the literature, definitions of self-determination…

This article describes a process to encourage student-led Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and student ownership for their own education. Sections address preparing for the IEP meeting and research results on students' involvement. Insets summarize three levels of student involvement, relevant sections of the Individuals with…

This idea offers tools and suggested processes to encourage parent participation in (IEP) Individualized Education Program team meetings. It considers aspects of team culture using three examples to illustrate how the meeting environment, culture, and language can discourage parent participation. Suggestions for changing team practices follow.…

Discussion of due process rights for children with disabilities considers common issues leading to due process requests, due process procedures, hearing officers, procedural violations, effects of due process meetings, and areas for improvement (i.e., accountability, paperwork). Tables list categories of procedural violations with examples and…

This article explains how to use the "Jeopardy!" game format both to assess student knowledge and reinforce critical information. It first considers problems with use of the standard game with students who have mild disabilities, then offers suggested modifications to the game to increase its instructional effectiveness. (Contains references.) (DB)

This article identifies questions and strategies to help teachers become more self-aware regarding their interactions with students with behavioral and emotional disorders. Strategies address: (1) identifying and defusing emotional triggers; (2) shifting focus; (3) reducing burnout and nurturing teacher mental health; (4) assessing ability to use…

This article describes use of "comic strip conversations," a type of social story adapted for younger students or those with limited verbal communication skills. It utilizes simple symbols, stick figures, and color to identify key elements of a social interaction. Three steps to implementing the technique are explained and illustrated with…

This article evaluates the use of "reverse-role tutoring" in a project in which students with emotional and behavioral disorders became tutors for students without disabilities but who were performing below grade level. Results indicated tutors improved five target behaviors and tutees improved their writing skills. Insets summarize the literature…