Applied Key Concept Assignments
EDSP 423B
Rick Phelan
Application of Key Concepts #1: Field Work Curriculum Materials
Due: Feb 15
Consider the special needs population served at the school you plan to carry out your case
study activities. What curriculum materials are available for intervention, re-teaching,
and remediation in reading, writing and mathematics? List the materials by subject,
publisher, date of publication, and intended audience (i.e. Read 180, Scholastic, 1999,
reading intervention groups).
What materials do teachers, resource specialists and special day class teachers favor for
the purposes of remediation and intervention? If no materials are available, describe how
teachers find and develop daily lessons to meet IEP requirements. Choose one of the
materials and examine it more closely to see how it correlates to State standards in
reading. How does a teacher “place a student” in this program and evaluate progress?
What materials are on teachers’ “wish lists” for re-teaching concepts, remediation and
intervention activities at this school?
Application of Key Concepts #2: Assessment Plan
Due: Mar 1
Choose a student has special needs and one that you will have access to for the entire
semester. Identify the essential information about the student (e.g. name- no last names,
gender, grade, age, description of school setting, current living situation). What are the
student’s strengths and current challenges? Develop at least three questions you have
about this student pertaining to their academic achievement (i.e. How can this student
gain access to the grade 6 core curriculum? What decoding skills does this student have
in reading? Where would this student be placed in the Houghton Mifflin Math
Intervention program? Would this student qualify for special education services through a
resource specialist program?)
Develop an assessment plan which lists the tools and informal assessment strategies you
will use to assess the student. This plan will inform your work for Key Concept #3 and
would be the basis from which an IEP team would make decisions and form academic
goals. List the proposed tests and informal assessments (include at least one formal
assessment and three informal assessments) clearly stating your purposes for each (i.e.
WIAT- to determine eligibility for special services; SRA Rewards Placement- to
understand starting point for instruction; development of academic goals).
Application of Key Concepts #3: Carrying Out the Work of Your Assessment Plan
Due: Mar 15
Assess your student using the plan outlined in Key Concept #2. Enclose and clearly label
the protocols (or Xerox copies) from these assessments (teacher made protocols are
acceptable for the informal assessments). List the assessment results and your
interpretation of the data. How did assessment results answer the questions you put forth
in the assessment plan? What new academic questions do you have about this student?
Application of Key Concepts #4: Instructional Plan
Due: Apr 12
Based on assessment results from KC #3 and the school’s instructional materials
collection (KC #1) develop an instructional plan for the student that helps remediate
academic deficiencies, provides access to core curriculum and develops compensatory
skills. Your plan should specify at least one curriculum program along with three
teaching goals (if curriculum materials are inadequate at the school, please state the
material that you would recommend using). Identify the appropriate instructional
objectives (at least 3 for each goal) that you would recommend for this student. Explain
and rationalize the instructional plan you would develop for this student using best
practices and standards based/core curriculum.
Application of Key Concepts #5: Adaptation/Accommodation Assignment
Due: May 3
Using the instructional plan developed in KC #4 describe at least three
adaptations/accommodations that can be used to facilitate your student’s access to
learning. Please include a brief description of the adaptation/accommodation, the content
area it adapts or accommodates, and your rationale for each. (Note: Your
adaptations/accommodations cannot be costly or purchased from a specialized catalogue
or store; they must be easy to make, inexpensive, and available to teacher ingenuity, not
wealth.)
Application of Key Concepts #6: Transition Planning
Due: May 3
Transition is part of the educational process. Some students are at the point where they
are graduating from one grade to another, others are moving from elementary school to a
secondary setting, and still others are moving from high school to a post secondary
learning opportunity. Transition involves planning and coordinating for future needs.
Please describe the academic transition(s) that your student will be facing in next school
year. Present a three point plan that addresses these needs and works to assure your
student’s success at the next stage of learning. Consider suggestions and ideas from the
Bos and Vaughn text along with best practices you’ve learned from veteran teachers.