Online Module for Missed Class

Based on Article #1

1. What are the social and mental implications for children with learning disabilities?

Most students with a learning disability have some emotional problem associated with the disability according to the article. Emotional conditions that may exist because of their learning disability or condition are as follows: emotional distress, low academic self-concept, anxiety, depression, low coping skills, and low self-esteem. These conditions may also present themselves before a learning disability is diagnosed and the disability could go unnoticed because of the earlier conditions. Students with learning disabilities are much more likely to suffer from low academic performance and social problems in school and in their lives due to these conditions. The article stated that a majority of individuals who committed suicide in LA had been diagnosed with some type of disability. This is why we as teachers need to be looking for the warning signs which are: acting out, escaping school by not attending, and problems at home. According to research, positive "affective states" can increase academic performance and social performance. This, I would argue, should be used for all students, but this is especially true of students with learning disabilities and the students who show the warning signs discussed earlier. We as teachers should help students to understand their learning disability and give them a "can do" attitude with lots of support and positive feedback.

2. Think back to when you were in school. What strategies do you remember teachers using (academic or behavioral). Think about how a child with a Learning Disability would respond to these strategies. Explain and comment.

I never really thought about the academic strategies until I came back to college to become a teacher. Now with some reflection, I can remember some teachers using "copy the textbook" strategy everyday to learn material in high school. I can also remember a whole language approach to reading in the elementary. This is basically finding a book and reading quietly in class during reading. I don't know what you did if you couldn't already read. I can't imagine a student with disabilities succeeding in this independent environment. We always had a very large class and not very much student-to-teacher interaction. Behaviorally, my teachers did not put up with anyone acting out or being disruptive in the class. I can remember the paddle being used for anyone who didn't obey the classroom rules. This was done by taking the student into the hallway and opening up all of the classroom doors so that everyone could hear the swat. I can't imagine students with disabilities being subjected to this treatment now. According to the articles that we just read, this strategy for behavior would have a devastating affect on a student with a disability. With the movement of full inclusion, behavior strategies that I grew up with needed to change.

3. How will you refine your practices to address the social needs of students with disabilities?

I will make a conscious effort to be on the lookout for social difficulties when dealing with students who have a disability in my classroom. It will be clear to everyone in the class that we treat everyone with respect as we would like to be treated. I will also use positive comments for the benefit of all students. My activities that I design for class will create an atmosphere that we all belong and I will mix ability groups and friends so that everyone can be a part of the social groups. If any student starts to show warning signs to the emotional conditions discussed in the articles, I will use all the resources available to me so that each student may succeed both academically an socially in my class.

Based on Article #3:

1. How has the evolution of medical technology changed the way we look at disabilities?

The use of MRI imaging and genetic coding has shown that there is a link between some individuals with reading disorders and a specific gene. Although, this is not the case for every individual with a reading disorder and the environment is still a factor in developing reading skills. MRI imaging is also being using to find the most effective ways to develop interventions for students with disabilities.

2. What implications will this new outlook have on teaching and mandated legislation?

The implications for teaching and legislation are that interventions and reading strategies will have to be science based approaches to receive funding. Science based approaches require research. An example is the single subject research design for collecting data to be used to determine the most effective strategies in teaching students with disabilities.

Based on Article #4 & #5:

1. The disproportionate representation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse students in special education is a significant issue in education. After reviewing the article:

a. List some of the issues surrounding this topic?
The main issue in this article is dealing with students who don't speak English as their first language and how they end up in special education. This is largely due to the fact that school districts do not have any other program in place for them. Another issue in the article deals with the over-representation of ethnic groups and minorities in special education. I think what the article is getting to the heart of is that students who may not have a labeled learning disability are ending up in special education because they need help to succeed, but there is no tailored program to suit their specific need already in place.

b. Discuss how legislation has attempted to alleviate this problem?
The courts have tried to remedy these issues and the most successful attempt was in the Larry vs. Riles case. The outcome was that they found an over-representation of African Americans in special education due to IQ tests. They ruled that they couldn't use the IQ tests anymore and that these students shouldn't be placed in special education. Congress has tried to define these issues but they always leave too many generalizations, which can be interpreted as states see fit. This is why these cases are usually resolved in the court of appeals.

c. Describe the problem as you see it.
I think that the problem is that the U.S. school system is facing a situation where there is a large influx of students entering the school system who are not English speaking and there are no programs in place to adequately deal with the situation. To adequately deal with this problem, it is going to take more money and resources and no one, as of yet, is willing to pay for it. Taxpayers do not want to pay more taxes and politicians want to keep their jobs. If you want to fix this problem, than at the federal level it needs to be recognized as a situation that has to be fixed by the states, even if funds have to be diverted or raised in another way.