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
