Yes We Can!: General and Special Educators Collaborating in a Professional Learning Community

by Jose Narro Robles, Andres Blaisten

Overview

As states adopt more rigorous academic standards, schools must define how special education fits into standards-aligned curricula, instruction, and assessment. Utilizing PLC practices, general and special educators must develop collaborative partnerships in order to close the achievement gap and maximize learning for all. The authors encourage all educators to take collective responsibility in improving outcomes for students with special needs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936763993
Publisher:	Solution Tree Press
Publication date:	03/04/2016
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	119,886
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)

Table of Contents

About the Authors ix

Introduction: Improving Outcomes for All Students 1

How This Book Is Structured 2

Getting the Most Out of This Book 3

Part I Closing the Gap Through Collaboration 5

Chapter 1 Understanding the History and Reality of Special Education 7

Who Are Students With Special Needs? 8

The President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education 9

Essential Beliefs About Student Learning and Collective Responsibility 14

Commitment to Closing the Gap 16

Yes We Can: Keys to Moving Forward 16

Chapter 2 Collaborating for All Students 17

Working Together in Elementary Teams 17

Working Together in Secondary Teams 24

Fusing Collaboration and Professional Development 27

Yes We Can: Keys to Moving Forward 28

Chapter 3 Developing a Culture of Shared Learning Expectations 29

Establishing a School Culture That Supports All Students 33

Ensuring That All Students Learn at High Levels 36

Yes We Can: Keys to Moving Forward 37

Part II Closing the Gap Through a Focus on Learning and Results 39

Chapter 4 Establishing What All Students Should Learn 41

Eliminating Curriculum Chaos and Taking Action 42

Selecting an Upcoming Unit or Topic and Deciding What Students Should Know and Be Able to Do 44

Prioritizing the List of What Students Should Know and Be Able to Do 45

Unpacking the Priority Standards 46

Yes We Can: Keys to Moving Forward 62

Chapter 5 Designing Standards-Aligned Instruction for Student Success 63

Defining Instructional Shifts 63

Tailoring Instruction for Students With Special Needs 66

Yes We Can: Keys to Moving Forward 72

Chapter 6 Determining Criteria for Assessment 75

Aligning Instruction and Assessment 78

Developing the Assessment 79

Designing a Specialized Curriculum 80

Yes We Can: Keys to Moving Forward 81

Chapter 7 Planning Goals and Monitoring Progress for All Learners 83

Planning Goals and Monitoring Growth 85

Fine-Tuning Progress Monitoring for Struggling Learners 92

Collecting Data Aligned to Goals 95

Yes We Can: Keys to Moving Forward 95

Chapter 8 Responding When Students Don't Learn 97

Examining Response to Intervention Legislation 98

Making Connections Between RTI and PLCs 100

Improving Core Instruction to Close the Gap 100

Connecting RTI and PLC Practices for Special Education Students 102

Yes We Can: Keys to Moving Forward 106

Final Thoughts 106

Appendix A Reproducibles 109

Simple as 1, 2, 3: The Prioritizing Process 110

Unpacking Document 112

Protocol to Focus Standards-Based IEP Goals 113

Content Area of Focus 114

Individual Problem-Solving Discussion Guide 115

Appendix B Glossary 117

References and Resources 121

Index 127