Students with Disabilities Can Meet Accountability Standards: A Roadmap for School Leaders

by John O'Connor

Overview

This book provides a road map for all school leaders as they attempt to improve the achievement of students with disabilities. In today's accountability system, school personnel are responsible for ensuring that all groups of students, including students with disabilities, show sufficient progress. If the disability subgroup fails to meet accountability standards, then the school (and the district) can be labeled as a 'needs improvement' school. This book is designed for principals, assistant principals, general educators and special educators. It focuses on two main goals. First, it clearly describes the instructional components that must be implemented across the school to increase the achievement of students with disabilities. Second, it describes a step-by-step process that the school's leadership team must undertake to enable all teachers to provide those instructional components. This book provides a description of what instruction should look like in every classroom across the school for students with disabilities and how to make this happen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607094715
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	12/16/2009
Pages:	146
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

John O'Connor has led school improvement initiatives at the state and local level during his 20 years in public education. He is currently the Executive Director for Special Services with the DeKalb County School System in metro Atlanta. He has provided training to over 100 district, state, and national audiences. This is John's third book. He co-wrote, Students with Disabilities Can Make AYP and wrote Turning Average Instruction into GREAT Instruction. John lives in Stockbridge, Georgia with his wife, Shawn, and two sons, J.T. and Luke.

Table of Contents

List of Figures vii

List of Tables ix

Acknowledgments xi

1 Students with Disabilities 1

2 Great Instruction: Guided by the Curriculum 15

3 Rigorous with Research-Based Strategies 21

4 Engaging and Exciting 45

5 Assessed Continuously to Guide Instruction 47

6 Tailored through Flexible Groups 51

7 Including More Students with Disabilities in General Education Classes 57

8 Behavioral Challenges 69

9 Changing Adult Practices 77

10 Aligning and Preparing the Leadership Team: Needs Assessment 85

11 Aligning and Preparing the Leadership Team: Common Expectations 93

12 Align All Programs and Initiatives toward Great Instruction 109

13 Equipping Teachers to Provide Great Instruction 113

14 Quit Doing Stuff That Doesn't Help 125

15 Unrelenting Persistence 141

References 145

About the Author 147

Editorial Reviews

This excellent work of John O’Connor’s invites teachers and other school leaders to reflect, grow, and learn from their practice. The application-based case studies at the end of each chapter are particularly insightful and user friendly. Combining stimulating ideas and practical suggestions, Students with Disabilities Can Meet Achievement Standards will ensure that your school is fully prepared today to confront the challenges of tomorrow.

Gloria Talley

Educators have an overwhelming challenge to provide a superior academic experience for their students. This book identifies these challenges and offers practical solutions that will effect above average results. Students, O'Conner has your back!

Marie S. Corrigan

This is a good book for special educators, and a great book for general educators.

John O'Dell