The Expanded Core Curriculum
ECC
 What is it?
 Nine areas
A
C
C
R
O
S
S
V
I
The Current Nine ECC Areas
 Nine areas
A – Assistive Technology
C – Career Exploration
C – Compensatory or Functional skills
R – Recreation and Leisure
O – Orientation and Mobility
S – Social Interaction Skills
S – Self Determination
V -Visual Efficiency (updated to Sensory Effciency)
I – Independent Living Skills
Is it Separate?
 The ECC is inclusive
The regular curriculum is appropriate
The regular curriculum is/should be available
They are not isolated from each other
They overlap in may circumstances
Multiple skills at same time
Is it the Law?
 YES
 YES
 YES
Federal Code
300.304(c)(4) 34 Code of Federal Regulations § 300.304. Evaluation
procedures.
...
(c) Other evaluation procedures
Each public agency must ensure that —
...
(4) The child is assessed in all areas related to the suspected disability,
including, if appropriate, health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status, general
intelligence, academic performance, communicative status, and motor abilities;
...
From The “Guidelines”
For children who are blind or visually impaired, evaluations to document the
present level of academic and functional performance for the development of the
individualized education program (IEP) are required by the federal Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (34 CFR §300.320 (a)(1))
And More
The expanded core curriculum areas include (A) needs that result from the
visual impairment to enable the student “to be involved in and make progress in the
general education curriculum; and (B) other educational needs that result from the
child's disability” as required by IDEA. (34 CFR § 300.320 (a)(2)(A)(B)).
State Plan
(Developed by TEA to address Federal Mandate)
 Result 4
Evaluation of students with visual impairments leads to success in the general
core curriculum (CC) and expanded core curriculum (ECC)
 Result 5
Students with visual impairments will receive instruction in the general core
curriculum (CC) and expanded core curriculum (ECC) as identified by specific
individualized educational program (IEP) goals
The ECC should:
 Drive your practice
 Direct most, if not all, of your activities
The ECC
 Requires planning
 Requires resources (time)
 Is the responsibility of all professionals in the field
So How Does that Impact You? (think and discuss)
 Any areas present a challenge?
 What do you need to do?
 Any questions?
Assess
 It is vitally important at certain situations:
 Initial placement/assessment
 During transitions
To Middle School
To HS
From HS to College or Life
 During any consideration or dismissal
You Must…….
 Assess and Teach the ECC
Be creative
Expand your knowledge
Use and collect data
Train and Enlist others to support