3: Policies, Practices, and Processes for Special
Education and Inclusive Education
Learning Outcomes
After studying this chapter, students should be able to:
• 3-1 Differentiate between interindividual and intraindividual differences.
• 3-2 Outline the referral and assessment process utilized in special education.
• 3-3 Describe the required components of an individualized education program
(IEP).
INTASC Standards
Standard #1: Learner Development. The teacher understands how learners grow and develop,
recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the
cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements
developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Council for Exceptional Children
Special educators are to have knowledge of the following:
Standard #3: Curricular Content Knowledge. Beginning special education professionals use
Chapter Outline
3-1 Identification and Assessment of Individual Differences
3-2 Referral and Assessment for a Special Education
1. Response to Intervention
3-2c Assessment
3-3 The Individualized Education Program
3-4 Related Services
3-5 Section 504 Accommodation Plan
3-5a Who Is Protected by Section 504?
3-5c Section 504 Eligibility Determination
3-5d Accommodation Plans
Key Concepts and Terms
accommodation plan: Simple, inexpensive, and easy–to–use plan required by Section
504 that includes information necessary to enable the student to have equal access to
education and extracurricular activities while also providing an equal opportunity to be
successful.
assessment: An information–gathering and decision–making process to obtain student
profile of strengths and needs.
intervention assistance team: A group charged with constructing academic
accommodations or behavioral interventions for children believed to be at risk for
success in school; also commonly called teacher assistance teams, instructional support
teams, or child/student study teams.
intraindividual differences: Differences within children.
multidisciplinary team: The group responsible for developing an individualized and
response to intervention (RTI): A process used to determine if the pupil responds to
empirically validated, scientifically based interventions. Designed to target early,
Lecture Notes
Effective instructional planning for learners with special needs requires that educators
consider the pupil’s intraindividual differences.
An IEP is foundational to providing students with disabilities with an education
appropriate to their unique needs.
It is becoming increasingly common for teachers to work in partnership with
Suggestions for In–Class or Online Activities
1. Discuss the relevance of using tests to determine whether or not a student is
4. Assign the MindTap scenario either as an individual or small group assignment.
Have the students share their responses.
Discussion Questions
1. As a teacher, would you want to involve parents in pre–referral interventions?
Why or why not? If yes, how might you involve them?
2. Why is a multidisciplinary team necessary to perform an accurate assessment?
3. Which type of differences does a norm–referenced test measure? Explain why
4. Which type of differences does a criterion–referenced test measure? Explain why
5. What is the difference between IEP goals and benchmarks? Are both included in
IEPs for all students?
6. How does an accommodation plan differ from an IEP?
7. How is response to intervention (RTI) supported by universal design for learning?
8. How do teachers partner with other professionals to meet an IEP goal?
9. How does a 504 plan differ from an IEP? Why are both needed as options for
Field Experiences
1. Contact your local elementary school and ask if your class can come and
2. Ask a teacher from an inclusive classroom and a self–contained classroom to
come to your class to share their experiences.
Videos
Inclusion
1. What practices did you see that demonstrate inclusion?
2. How did the “typically” developing children embrace the child with special needs?
1. Share your feelings while watching the video.
2. How does inclusion affect the entire family?
Web Resources
National Center on Response to
