As states adopt more rigorous academic standards, schools must define how special education fits into standards-aligned curricula, instruction, and assessment. Utilizing PLC practices, general and special educators must develop collaborative partnerships in order to close the achievement gap and maximize learning for all. The authors encourage all educators to take collective responsibility in improving outcomes for students with special needs.
- Use the key ideas and four critical questions of a PLC to maximize learning for all students.
- Learn when conditions make special education services most effective.
- Determine priority standards, and study the steps for unpacking these standards into learning targets.
- Discover what tailored instruction does and does not mean.
- Consider common team structures that support effective collaboration.
- Develop instructional plans using reproducibles.