Instructional Strategies

Center for Effective Collaboration & Practice - Schools & Special Education

Information and resources to improve the education of children and youth with emotional disabilities and behavior problems.

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Classroom & Extracurricular Supplementary Aids & Services

Supplementary aids and services can be accommodations and modifications to the curriculum being studied or the way that content is presented. They can also include direct services and supports for the child, as well as support and training for staff who work with a student.
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Evidence for Education

Learning modules and downloadable documents explore evidence-based best practices related to special education.
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How To Select, Administer & Evaluate Use of Accommodations for Instruction

This manual provides a five-step process for Individualized Educational Program (IEP) teams, 504 plan committees, general and special education teachers, administrators, and district level assessment staff to use in the selection, administration, and evaluation of the effectiveness of instructional and assessment accommodations by students with disabilities. This link opens a PDF document
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Learn About Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Information on UDL, which provides a framework to create and implement lessons with flexible goals, methods, materials and assessments that support learning for all students, especially those with disabilities. Includes examples of UDL model lessons.

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Measuring the Achievement of Students with Disabilities

Information for families and schools regarding modified academic achievement standards under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This information can be downloaded in PDF format.

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National Center on Accelerating Student Learning

Designed to accelerate learning for students with disabilities in the early grades to provide a solid foundation for strong achievement in the intermediate grades and beyond.
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National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

A central source for information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) as it relates to children with disabilities and effective educational practices.
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Planning for All Learners (PAL) Toolkit

The PAL toolkit applies Universal Design Learning (UDL) to planning and developing instruction in ways that promote access, participation and progress in the general education curriculum for all learners. Provides specific planning steps, guidance, mentoring, model lessons, tools, templates, resources and links to other educators using the PAL Model.
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Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports

Provides schools with information and technical assistance for identifying, adapting and sustaining effective school-wide disciplinary practices.

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Professional Development in UDL

Guided by the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the Center for Applied Special Technology's (CAST) professional development courses offer educators flexible instructional materials, methods and assessments to meet the varied needs of all students, especially students with disabilities.

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Special Education in Charter Schools

Background information and resources designed to facilitate the successful inclusion of students with disabilities in charter schools.
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Teaching Children with ADHD

Guide from the U.S. Department of Education that provides an overall strategy for the successful instruction of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This link opens a PDF document.
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Tool Kit on Teaching & Assessing Students with Disabilities

Assists states in raising the achievement of all students with disabilities by providing information, technical assistance products and other related resources.

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Tool Kit on Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

This tool kit explains how universal design can be applied to teaching and assessing students. In a classroom using a universally designed curriculum one might find books on tape, interactive software, magnifiers or highlighted materials.
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Universal Course Design to Increase Retention & Completion Rates of Community College Students with Disabilities

This project trains faculty who teach developmental courses how to integrate Universal Course Design (UCD) strategies into their courses. At the end of this project, 80 community college faculty will have universally designed over 240 developmental courses. As a result, approximately 3,200 students will be enrolled in universally designed courses, including approximately 1,660 students with disabilities.
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Online Modules

Two online modules by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) that introduce the theory, principles and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to teacher candidates and in-service teachers. These modules provide higher education faculty with a multimedia, interactive online-learning environment that can become a part of instructional methods courses.

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Videos on Universal Design for Learning

A series of four captioned videos from CAST, Diversity of Learners, Universal Design & Universal Design for Learning, The Brain Research and Principles of Universal Design for Learning, that explain the theory and practice of UDL.

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What is a Universal Design Approach to Learning?

Information on universal design for learning (UDL), an educational approach for teaching all learners, especially students with disabilities, by designing flexible classroom materials, using technology, varying instructional/delivery methods and manipulating digital content. Includes a list of "10 Practical Tips" for incorporating universal design approaches into university courses. This link opens a PDF document.
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