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FOUNDATIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

Foundations of Special Education Principles and Practice

Isabel Farrell

Monmouth University

EDS 337: Special Education Strategies in P-6 Grade Social Studies and Content Instruction

Professor Frith

November 23, 2021

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CEC Standard 1: Components 1.2 & 1.3

The Council for Exceptional Children provides educators with standards to incorporate

into their classroom with special education students. These standards use a variety of strategies

and allow for teachers to be well-rounded within their teaching whether that be of a content area

or professional development. The first standard is engaging in professional learning and practice

withing ethical guidelines. Component 1.2, within the first standard, discusses the advocation for

the understanding and addressing of the background of students with exceptionalities. This

component within standard one allows for the development of students based off the different

factors of their background which includes social, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. Students

are able to learn in a more comfortable environment when they feel supported and understood

based on their specific background needs. I plan to advocate for the implementation of diverse

needs of my students by studying each student’s background. By studying these backgrounds as

a class, each student will feel recognized and unique through their diverse history.

Another component within standard one is component 1.3 that states “candidates design

and implement professional learning activities based on ongoing analysis of student learning;

self-reflection; and professional standards, research, and contemporary practices” (CEC Standard

1). This component allows for teachers to incorporate different learning activities, standards, and

practices based on the learning needs of students. It is important that teachers implement various

learning activities that align not only with state standards and practices, but with the needs of the

student’s learning abilities as well. I plan to practice this component by collecting data on all

students within my classroom over the course of a few weeks at a time. I will then use this data

to implement various learning activities that will include self-reflections and research that will

allow for engagement and adequate use of learning styles based on their needs.
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CEC Standard 2: Components 2.1 & 2.2

It is important that teachers understand the way human growth and development

influences the way a student learns, especially students with exceptionalities. This second

standard uses the skills of understanding and addressing each individual student’s developmental

and learning needs. In component 2.1 of standard 2, it discusses the way teachers must

understand the growth and development of each student in order to provide them with

appropriate and meaningful learning experiences. Teachers must be knowledgeable in the way

that each student learns and the strengths that they have in order to assess them correctly.

Students learn in all different ways and if the teacher is not aware of how they learn best, the

students will not succeed. A way that teachers are able to practice this component is by not only

observing and taking note of the strengths and weaknesses on student learning, but by creating

lessons that align with their strengths and learning styles as well. I plan to implement this in my

practice by making all lessons adjustable to fit the specific learning needs of my students. It is

important that teachers are adaptable and understand the different skills that each student has.

The second component within standard two discusses the importance of knowing,

understanding, and using the diverse factors of each student that influence their learning

experiences and environments. These diverse factors include “families, languages, cultures, and

communities” (CEC Standard 2). Similar to component 1.2 within standard one, teachers must be

familiar not only with the background of each student, but the different factors involved within

their background as well. Teachers must be knowledgeable and understanding of these diverse

factors in order to accurately plan and implement learning experiences within comfortable and

controlled environments. To incorporate this within practice, assignments can be given based on

the student’s differences in order to acknowledge them as an individual. The assignments would
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be aligned not only with the background of the student, but with their learning needs and

strengths as well.

Standard 7: Components 7.2 & 7.3

Collaboration, especially within education, is an important factor that all teachers must be

willing to enforce and use themselves. Standard seven within the CEC Initial Standards and

Components discusses the importance of collaboration and communication between different

parties involved in a classroom environment. Component 7.2 of standard seven includes the

collaboration, communication, and coordination between the teachers and families,

paraprofessionals, and other educators within the setting. It is an important component because

collaboration and communication are key when “assessing, planning, and implementing

important programs and services that promote progress toward measurable outcomes” (CEC

Standard 7). Teachers must be able to work with others in order to accurately and confidently

assess and implement effective lessons within the learning environment. A way to implement

this practice is to have reoccurring meetings about growth, performance, and strategies whether

that be with families, paraprofessionals, or other educators within the educational setting. It is

important that there are various relationships built within the educational setting in order to

promote successful learning.

Another component within standard seven discusses the collaboration, communication,

and coordination “with professionals and agencies within the community to identify and access

services, resources, and supports” (CEC Standard 7). It is important that students are not only

familiar, but also comfortable within their community so that they are able to use it as resource

within their learning experiences. Teachers must engage the students within the community and

all that it offers in order to help meet the needs of these individuals with exceptionalities as well
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as their families. Teachers have the responsibility of collaborating and coordinating with

professionals and agencies within the community so that there is a different level of learning

experiences that the students will be involved in. A way I plan on implementing this component

in my practice is by becoming involved within the community library. I would have my students

visit the library during school hours in order to become familiar with it and always collaborate

with those professionals within the library on organizing events and opportunities for learning

resources and experiences for the students.

Philosophy Statement

Special education within the classroom can be seen as a challenge and sometimes, as a

teacher, a tough job to complete. Educators, though, must always remember that there are

strategies, standards, professional development guidelines, and personal experiences that can

help guide them along in their journey of a special education classroom. As a future educator of

students with exceptionalities, it is important that I use not only the resources I am given to

strengthen my work, but my own personal experiences within special education settings as well.

It is important that I also remember to use my own background and upbringing when faced with

situations, as well as the different backgrounds and values of those around me and or involved

within the situation. All educators must be aware of the diverse types of collaboration they will

encounter when working with students with exceptionalities. It is important for them to

remember that not all will have the same viewpoint, ideas, and values. Though differences will

occur, new perspectives and ideals will come about which will in turn help individual students

with their specific learning and educational needs. Within a special education classroom, along

with personal experiences and values, an educator must remember the tools of differentiated

instruction and strategies that they have been taught within their own educational career. I plan to
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use differentiated instruction along with many other accommodating strategies to help my

students achieve their set learning goals. Remembering that all students learn best in different

ways will help an educator accurately accommodate students based on their learning needs. This

will not only help them succeed but create an adaptable and understanding classroom

environment as well. The role that I plan to play within a special education classroom is one that

I hope will create an everlasting positive impact on each student.