A research demonstration project was developed through a unique partnership of special educators, parents, administrators, and researchers, in order to increase the use of evidence-based practices in special education programs and to improve student outcomes. A major product of this project was the development of four teacher-friendly manuals that are guides to the implementation of evidence-based practices by special education teachers. A fidelity instrument was also developed to measure the level of implementation of these evidence-based practices.
Introduction to Effective Strategies Manuals (EMS)
Increasing the use of instructional strategies that have a strong empirical foundation is proposed as an important factor in improving the educational outcomes of students in both general and special education.
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Increasing Family Involvement
Family involvement is a significant factor in improving educational outcomes. Improving family involvement is both an individual goal for each teacher and a school-wide goal for the School Advisory Committee as reflected in the school Continuous Improvement Plan. This section will focus on activities for individual teachers, particularly in special education programs.
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Reading Strategies
The purpose of this manual is to provide teachers of children in special education with strategies to improve students' reading. These strategies are based upon research and the suggestions of a panel of teachers and parents. Read through it and choose the strategies that make sense for you and your classroom.
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Providing Academic Feedback
Students need to receive timely, accurate, easily understood feedback about their academic and behavioral performance. Providing academic feedback to teachers, students and parents requires the ongoing formative evaluation of student performance and modification of instructional programs based upon the results of this evaluation.
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Positive Behavior Support
The intention of this manual is to empower teachers to address student challenges through every day teacher-applied strategies. The foundation for these strategies is in curricular and instructional research situated in a problem-solving framework for behavior support. The framework, Positive Behavior Support (PBS), is a proactive approach proven successful in addressing challenging behavior within general and special education classroom settings.
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Fidelity Instrument
When implementing evidence-based practices, it is critically important to measure the degree to which there is adherence to the practice as intended by the developers of the practice. The fidelity instrument can be easily administered in the context of a supportive supervisory session with a teacher.