Title: 7 Tips for Achieving Equity in Special Education - Rethink Education
Headings: 7 Tips for Achieving Equity in Special Education
7 Tips for Achieving Equity in Special Education
Why equity? Why now?
Tip 1: Principal Leadership
Tip 2: Develop Truly Individualized and Quality IEP’s
Tip 3: Use Online and Blended Learning Options
Tip 4:  Let Data Drive Instruction and Intervention
Tip 5: Thorough and Individualized Lesson Planning
Tip 6: Establish High Standards for Each Child
Tip 7: Motivation and Enthusiasm
Conclusion

Content: Let Data Drive Instruction and Intervention
The heart of special education is rooted in the cyclical process of assess, intervene, instruct, and re-assess. If we are to truly provide children with equity in education, we must engage in proactive, high-leverage, research-based best practices and avoid reactionary, ‘de minimis’ practices that fall short of maximizing a child’s true learning capacity. Today there is certainly no lack of data available to assist us in this endeavor. The boom in the EdTech industry has created solutions that allow schools to garner copious amounts of student data. Whether academic or behavioral, tracking performance, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, making adjustments, and differentiating instruction are made easier by diagnostic learning tools that allow schools to make data-driven instructional decisions. Tip 5: Thorough and Individualized Lesson Planning
Lesson planning is no fun – but every great teacher does it – and does it well. Preparation is the key to success in special education, and whether a resource, inclusion, or functional skills classroom, it is imperative that the teacher plans individualized instruction for each child. All too often we provide a one-size-fits-all lesson – even within special education. We need to remember our instructional cycle and apply it individually and with great forethought.