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Special Connections' archived tools and resources enable students with disabilities to receive access to general education curriculums At present, university teacher education programs, school districts and state agencies across the country are using this site to engage current and future teachers in an understanding of evidence-based practices. Similarly, parent groups and related service providers have utilized components to enhance understanding of special and general education practices. An advantage of the site, as many users have shared, is that the content is formatted for just-in-time learning. Furthermore, the case studies and teacher tools offer context that enables the user to quickly visualize how the site’s content can be applied within their specific classroom or related setting. Special Connections provides identified best practices in four areas of focus: instruction, assessment, behavior plans and collaboration. The module materials, created by nationally recognized experts, present teacher tools for implementing specific practices, case study materials, an interactive reference database and further Internet-based resources related to each practice. Suggestions on how to develop online collaboration are included along with technical specifications and examples of how online collaboration can improve teacher practices and outcomes for students. Special Connections seeks to alter current traditional pre-service and in-service teacher preparation through the infusion of Internet-based functions, which were developed with a Universal Design for Learning structure at its core, to be disseminated amongst novice and veteran special and general education teachers. The expected outcomes are the further development of professional skills amongst teachers to enhance the access to the general curriculum for students with disabilities. Link to view the framework. The Special Connections Project primarily focuses on the development of a virtual archive to support IDEA’s mandate for educators to provide students with special needs the opportunity for meaningful access to the general education curriculum with appropriate aids and services. The virtual archive of Web-based materials can be integrated into both general and special education teacher preparation programs as well as professional development activities. The focus of the archive meets needs of school-age children and youth with high-incidence disabilities. Engaging teachers and related support personnel in evidenced-based practice are not only critical―if our children are to have meaningful access to learning―but possible via supports like Special Connections. The project continues to build upon these resources and the next step in the site’s development is to provide a book that offers thorough examinations of interventions across the needs of students with learning challenges while connecting readers to this virtual library in order to enhance the integration process. For additional information, please contact Sean J. Smith at seanj@ku.edu or visit the site at http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu |
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Contact Special Education Joseph R. Pearson Hall, Rm. 521 1122 West Campus Rd. University of Kansas Lawrence, KS 66045 3101 phone: (785) 864-0556 Related Info 2007 was an outstanding year and 2008 looks even better KU CRL and Vanderbilt University team up on LD resource kit New online program blends instruction with state assessments Beach Center launches online Community of Practice |
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