Class 12, Chapter 12: Learners with Exceptionalities

Chapter 12 Essential Questions:

• What are the most common exceptionalities that entitle students to special education services? 
• What are the laws and policies that define special education? 
• What is response to intervention or other special education programs within your schools?
• What are effective educational strategies for students with exceptionalities? 

Student Activity 1: Who are learners with exceptionalities?

The text identifies the following as exceptionalities:

• Students with intellectual disabilities
• Students with learning disabilities
• Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Students with speech or language impairments
• Students with emotional and behavioral disorders
• Students with autism spectrum disorder
• Students with sensory, physical, and health impairments
• Students who are gifted and talented

Activity 1a: Conduct a search at the SDDOE to find the Special Education Child Count Data:http://doe.sd.gov/ofm/data-childcount.aspx 

Activity 1b: Find the most recent data at the SDDOE/Disability Count Report, and classify the states exceptionalities to the textbook classifications of exceptionalities (see above).

Activity 1c: Seek out the causes for each exceptionality.

Activity 1d: Identify the characteristics of each disorder. 

Student Activity 2: What is Special Education & Effective Strategies

In review of the types of exceptionalities, identify the following:

Activity 2a: Indicate an understanding of Public Law 94-142

Activity 2b: types of special education services

Activity 2c: Indicate the types of services best used mostly for South Dakota special needs. Consider the following: 

• Determine what types of in-service needs to be introduced/created to assist in reservation schools understanding of special education. 

Extensions: 

• US Dept. of Ed. IDEA Site: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-launches-new-idea-website
• South Dakota Department of Education/Special Education Site: http://doe.sd.gov/oess/sped.aspx see Professional Learing

Closure: What are some possible searches will you seek out for extended studies?

Assignment: 

• Read Chapter 12
• Select one of the areas above, one of the most pending special needs, means to educate and learn others about special education and write an annotated bibliography which addresses the essential questions and will be used to enhance your educational terrain.