This week I learned about classroom management and different strategies that I can implement to best suit all my students. I learned about the INCLUDE strategy, which stands for Identify, Note, Check, Look, Use, Differentiate, and Evaluate. While working on the case study for Mark this week, I was able to clearly understand how hard it can be for teachers to accommodate all their students. Everyone learns in different ways and having children with special needs in your class can make it harder to strategize. However, the INCLUDE strategy can help you narrow down what the child knows already and how you can help them learn even more! With Mark, I was also reminded that some children love learning but just simply can’t grasp certain concepts like others. One on one time might be all Mark needs to help him pay attention and catch up with his peers. This week’s learning was very helpful and insightful. I know I will be able to apply the INCLUDE strategy in my classroom someday.

This week I read about student’s needs. First, there are many assessments that take place These include:
• Screening
• Diagnosis
• Program Placement
• Curriculum Placement
• Instructional Evaluation
• Program Evaluation
There are also many sources for the child. These include:
• High-stakes Achievement Test
• Standardized Achievement Test
• Psychological Tests
• Alternate Assessments
• Curriculum-Based Assessments

I really liked the reading this week and it is super important to learn about all these sources and assessments because part of IEP is discussing standardized testing or alternate assessments.
I also read about hearing loss and all the resources that are available to help children with this disability to succeed in the classroom.

This week I learned all about collaboration, which is how people work together, not what they do. Some important characteristics of collaboration:

• ·         Voluntary
• ·         Parity
• ·         A shared goal
• ·         Shared responsibility
• ·         Shared accountability for outcomes
• ·         Shared resources
• ·         Emergent

There are some prerequisites that should occur before collaboration. You must reflect on your personal belief, refining your interaction skills, and contributing a supportive environment.

It’s also wise to work effectively with parents. This can be done by understanding the family perspective, utilize family centered practices, and collaborate with the parents by:

• ·         Home school communication
• ·         Parent-teacher conferences
• ·         High level of parent involvements. 

This week I learned about the many Special Education Laws. The 3 types of laws that impact Special Education are statutory, regulatory, and case.  I learned the principles of IDEA, which are:
• Zero reject
• Non-discriminatory evaluation
• Free and appropriate education (FAPE)
• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
• Procedural due process
• Parent and student involvement (IEP meetings)
The components of IEP are:
• Present level of performance
• Annual goals and short-term objectives
• Extent of participation in general education
• Behavior intervention plan
• Date of initiation and frequency and duration of service and anticipated modifications
• Strategies for evaluation
• Transition plan
I learned that if there is an issue that occurs in IEP there will be mediation. From there the case can go to a formal hearing, trial court, court of appeals, and eventually the supreme court. 
The 3 prong test for eligibility consists of:
• Having a disability, meeting criteria
• Condition affects performance
• Needs Special Education

It's important to learn and know all of the laws of special education and to know your rights as a teacher or as a parent of a child with disabilities. Special Education has come a long way, but there will always be ways to improve the system.