3-5th grade ED Teacher

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Home : 2002 : January : 23

3-5th grade ED Teacher
By Annie

Hi,
I know it is very difficult to deal with special education students in an inclusive classroom, but in most cases retention is not an appropriate option. Retaining a student costs about $13,000 per child per school
year. Research shows that children who are retained are at a much higher risk for dropping out of school and typically that student falls futher behind in class.
It sounds like this child needs a more restrictive setting (like a self contained special education classroom). Ask one of the Special Education teachers at your school for some strategies/modification to use with

this child. You also might want to try to make the student's school day shorter. We are required to give students a Free appropriate Education in the child's least restrictive enviroment. I have two students in my special education class full time because their least restrictive enviroment is a self contained classroom.
Before you take any action you need document everything on the child. You need keep a log of modifications you have used for that child's schoolwork and keep a list of people (including the special education teacher) who have given you suggestions on how to modify school work. If the child is in 5th grade and reading at a first grade reading level all schoolwork given to him needs to be at a first grade reading level or it needs to be read to him. You also need to make sure that the student's grade in math, social studies, ect.. is not low because the reading level was too high. You need to do everything you can to set the student up for success.
In reality your goal should be to expose that student to science and social studies (it is okay if he does not get it), and spend more time working on getting him to read at functional level. You need to teach him math skills so he can balance a checkbook. Remember there is a lot you can not fix so you do the best you can with what you have. Remember that life skills for special education students are usually more important than grade level academic skills.