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• Students With Disabilities Institute

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SWD Institute Course Content

Delivery Based on Best Practices in Adult Learning

The Institute’s course content is broken down into specific units supported by readings, discussions, and hands-on learning activities that are targeted to the needs of busy school leaders. Teaching methods include case studies, role-playing exercises, and interactive computer-based activities to complement lectures and group discussions.

Principals engage in hands-on activities on issues ranging from stereotypes (left) to prevention, intervention, and acceleration strategies (right).

Learning Objectives Focused on Key Content

Leaders will leave the Institute with new knowledge and skills that will have an immediate impact on student learning in their schools and districts.

Learning Objectives

Assess their schools' special education population and services, and then develop a vision and action plan for high standards and improved student achievement. Identify leadership strategies to promote fair assessment. Lead educators in identifying and implementing effective intervention and acceleration programs. Promote the incorporation of instructional best practices into learning curricula. Develop strategies that increase teacher capacity for the instruction of students with disabilities and, by extension, the student body as a whole. Lead the school community in adopting a unified approach regarding students with disabilities.

Tools to Help Leaders and Students Succeed

Most importantly, school leaders will leave with answers to the major challenges they face in improving performance of students with disabilities. The Institute is designed to help leaders answer the following questions:

Key Questions

How do I evaluate my school’s readiness for supporting a complete and inclusive program for students with disabilities? What steps must I take to overcome the cultural and structural barriers to achievement that exist within my school community in addressing the learning needs of all students? How does an instructional leader promote the importance of ongoing opportunities for students to learn throughout the school year? What do high standards and fair assessments for students with disabilities look like in the work of students and in the practice of teachers? What approaches work best in ensuring the alignment and coherence of instruction for students with disabilities in inclusionary programs?

Materials that Principals Need

The course comes complete with a rich set of learning materials that address every aspect of supporting inclusion for students with disabilities. In addition to an interactive CD-ROM, course handbook, and handouts developed by NISL, participants will receive copies of:

• What Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education, by Margaret J. McLaughlin and Victor Nolet
• Effective Teaching Strategies That Accommodate Diverse Learners, by Michael D. Coyne, Edward J. Kame'enui, and Douglas W. Carnine
• New Directions in Special Education: Eliminating Ableism in Policy and Practice, by Thomas Hehir