Instructional Considerations for

Secondary Students

Changing Roles for Teachers

Elementary

Goal: Fundamental & Remedial Instruction

Techniques:Direct Instruction

ModificationsAccommodations

Lesson DesignBasic Academic Skills

Social / Behavioral SkillsOrganization & Study

Skills

MiddleGoal: Remediate and Compensate

Techniques:Coaching

Direct InstructionAssistive Tech

Self-determinationOrganization &

Study Skills

HighGoal: Student Independence

Techniques:Coaching

Person-centered planning

Direct InstructionAssistive TechSchool-to-workOrganization &

Study Skills

Today’s Secondary Schools Have…

High stakes graduation testing mandates (No Child Left Behind, 2001)

Increased academic demands and advanced required coursework (Kamil, 2003)

Instructional techniques that are not designed for diverse populations (Deshler & Schumaker, 2006)

Complex reading materials that contain esoteric vocabulary presented at a pace many students struggle to achieve (Mastropieri, Scruggs, & Graetz, 2003)

Developmental Characteristics of Early Adolescence

Hormonal changes Withdraw from parents Social awkwardness Explore adult roles & activities Peer pressure Increased drug & alcohol use Problem solving through trial and

errorhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPMP68QP698&feature=related

Middle Adolescence (15 – 17)

Pressure to conform and engage in risk-taking behavior increases

Dropout rates increase as students avoid frustration and embarrassment

Students become disenfranchised with academic content

Achievement gap widens

What Students Want “Teachers who are interested and listen to what

I have to say.” (Josh, 8th grade) “Cool teachers have cool spaces.” (Marika, 9th

grade) What does your space convey to students? “Mrs. Jones doesn’t judge me. She asks all kinds of

questions and makes me think. Everyone else just tells me what to do. I can think for myself.” (Eligh, 9th grade)

“Mr. V. always comes to our soccer games. He cares about us.” (Emory, 8th grade)

The Role of the Secondary Teacher

Provide a safe and welcoming environment

Build trusting relationships with students Help students focus on self-awareness:

What does he/she need to be successful? Explore career options Develop self-determination Teach organization and study skills

Self-Determination

Defined: A combination of skills, knowledge, and beliefs that enable a person to engage in goal-directed, self-regulated, autonomous behavior (Wehmayer, Agran, & Hughes, 1998)

Curriculum consideration

• Self-awareness• Decision making• Self-advocacy• Goal expression and

elaborationSelf-determined students with disabilities understand their strengths and limitations. They are able to take control of their lives and assume adult roles (Flexer et al., 2008).

The Special Education Conundrum

Low expectations for student independence Fear of letting students fail Teaching students “learned helplessness” It’s easier to do a task for the student than explain

and model how they can do it on their own Pressure to meet goals and objectives Thinking that the students must accept the

curriculum rather than helping them see how the curriculum can address their personal needs and interests

Can People with Disabilities Make Valuable Contributions?

Working with High School Students

You have done your job when the students don’t need you!

Activities should develop self-confidence

Contextualized learning experiences to motivate students (e.g., practical knowledge that helps students in the community)

Focus on independent living, leisure, and positive extracurricular activities

What Does it Mean to Have a Disability?

The boy who sees without eyeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLziFMF4DHA&feature=PlayList&p=22A5F13D29F44A56&index=146

Testing the limitshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owsqxiG_AnU&feature=PlayList&p=22A5F13D29F44A56&index=63

Denver Academy – An exemplar?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnaHD77qw4Y&feature=PlayList&p=22A5F13D29F44A56&index=97

Disabled Surfers Associationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxgMHUkESRM&feature=PlayList&p=22A5F13D29F44A56&index=55