Understanding Special Education (SE) Beyond the Jargon

Why is the sky blue?

Why do leaves change color?

What is Special Education?

     It is a given that light energy scatters in the sky and that seasons change. SE has “a few givens,” too. It is a given that there is range of appropriate supports and services to help each student achieve progress toward their individualized education program (IEP) goals. SE includes free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in a student’s least restrictive environment (LRE). SE includes specially designed instruction (SDI), ongoing review of data, progress monitoring, planning, reflection, and the collaboration of professionals, families, and students. SE often means doing things in different ways, so here’s a visual representation, a Frayer Model with more SE definition, characteristics, examples, and non examples.

Inquiry leads to definition, then application. Here are eight SE questions.

Yogi Berra poignantly said, “You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” Hmmm…

SE Beyond the Jargon propagates that the direction we head first is south to capitalize on STRENGTH for students, staff, and families.

SE=

SE= Students excel

SE= Staff excel

SE= Strategize each

SE= Support engagements

SE= Successfully evolve

SE= So exciting!

Useful to know…

  1. All students learn, just not the same way, nor at the same time. What Works Clearinghouse
  2. Dislike the behavior, not the student, nor yourself. https://www.pbisworld.com/
  3. SE communications are expressed and valued, even in disagreement. https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/resources/
  4. We teach students, not content. https://casel.org/
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