Chapter 20

Making Instructional Decisions

Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All

Rights Reserved.
 Learning Objectives
• 20-1 Articulate a set of questions that shouldbe
addressed when individual students struggle in
school, along with various sources of information
that can inform targeted instructional changes.
• 20-2 Describe the questions that need to be
addressed for students receiving special education
services, and how an individualized education
program (IEP) is designed to provide the necessary
instruction and services.

Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All

Rights Reserved.
Does Student Have a Hidden Disability?
• Child find
• Universal screening

Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All

Rights Reserved.
Is Student Having Academic Difficulties?
• Ineffective instruction
1. Students’ lack of prerequisite knowledge/skill
2. Insufficient instructional time
3. Teachers’ lack of subject matter knowledge
4. Teachers’ lack of pedagogical knowledge
5. Teachers’ commitment to ineffective methods
• Individual differences
1. Abilities
2. Motivation
3. Cultural differences
Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All
Rights Reserved.
Can We Increase Teacher Competence
and School Capacity?

• Increase teachers’ competence to handle

problems themselves
• Bring additional resources

Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All

Rights Reserved.
Can Intervention Assistance Team Help?

• Making a request for assistance

• Clarifying the problem
• Designing interventions
• Implementing interventions
• Evaluating effects of interventions

Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All

Rights Reserved.
 Should Student Be Referred for
Multidisciplinary Evaluation?

• If interventions at each level of MTSS had not

led to sufficient success
• Determine eligibility for special education

Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All

Rights Reserved.
 What Should Be Included in a
Student’s IEP?
• Current levels
• Annual goals
• Specially designed instruction
• Related services
– Audiology
– Psychological services
– PT and OT
– Recreation
– Counseling services
– Medical services
• Least restrictive environment
Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All
Rights Reserved.
 What Is Least Restrictive
Environment?
• Factors affecting placement choice
– Disruption
– Well-being of nondisabled students
– Well-being of student with a disability
– Labeling
– Inclusion

Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All

Rights Reserved.
Is Instructional Program Effective?
• How will progress be measured?
• By what criteria will progress be evaluated?
• How often will progress be evaluated?

Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All

Rights Reserved.