What’s Missing: Best Practices for Teaching Students with Disabilities

What’s Missing describes the ten research-based practices that have proven effective in working with students with disabilities. The practices for instruction and for inclusion are detailed in individual chapters in order for the reader to select a specific practice, read information about it, review a possible scenario, and then be given specific strategies on how to implement it. The book begins with an introduction and a brief history of special education legislation to the present.

Table of Contents:
Introduction History of Special Education Chapter 1 What is School Culture? Chapter 2 What is Least Restrictive Environment? Chapter 3 What is Universal Design for Learning? Chapter 4What is Differentiated Instruction? Chapter 5What is Formative Assessment? Chapter 6What is Cooperative Learning? Chapter 7What is Assistive Technology? Chapter 8What are Professional Learning Communities? Chapter 9What is Co-Teaching? Chapter 10What is Leadership Support? Appendices Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G Appendix H About the Authors Index

About the Author :
Dr. Carolyn Lindstrom has taught grades K-12 in general and special education and has been a private school administrator for alternative high schools. She currently teaches students with moderate-to-severe disabilities, working with other teachers in collaboration and co-teaching to include all students and providing access to general education curriculum. Dr. Bonita Drolet has served in teaching and administrative capacities for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade and the university level. She is sought after by many school districts and private enterprises to assist them in building successful organizations. She has consulted with the Department of Education in Washington D.C., city governments, schools, and districts.

Review :
In 1975, federal law mandated that schools provide all students with disabilities a free, appropriate public education. This legislation ensured that I and many of my peers gained access to general education classrooms, something I can say had profound influence on my life's trajectory. Today, many educators still question, "What is the best way to support student with disabilities?" In this book, Drs. Carolyn Lindstrom and Bonnie Drolet use student/teacher scenarios to illustrate the methods that research has proven to be most beneficial in providing access to all students. Likely, you will see yourself in the examples and discover ways to emulate the problem-solving that is modeled. I recommend this book for both beginning teachers and any more experienced teachers looking to improve the support they give their students. These authors know that most teachers really want what is best for students; and, every chapter of the book will help you deliver just that! The dauntingly complex world of special education needs a clear road map to navigate. This book provides that map with comprehensive, yet practical, information. Educators of all job descriptions , as well as parents, will find the assistance they need in acquiring the vast knowledge that is essential to facilitate their abilities to think and speak intelligently about how to meet the complex learning needs of students who belong to our special education population. A sense of true understanding of the multitudinous issues that surround the work of special education can be very complicated and difficult to develop. To have students with such a variety of needs mostly mainstreamed in regular education classes can become overwhelming to teachers who don’t have a specific plan as to how to best guide each of their students from their “entry level” with learning standards and move then forward to competence. This book provides a great deal of information about how teachers can accomplish this essential outcome with all their students. A large variety of teaching strategies are explained with specifics provided to assist teachers in making the most effective matches possible. Carolyn Lindstrom and Bonita Drolet have created a wonderfully helpful and very accessible guide for teachers and principals who are navigating the complexities of special education. They have produced a blueprint for building a warm, caring, collaborative culture for all stakeholders—staff, parents, and students. Valuable tips for implementing best practices, like universal design and least restrictive environment, offer new and experienced professionals practical tools for immediate use. Engaging scenarios are sprinkled liberally throughout the book adding insights and interest. Principals, general educators, and special educators will find this book exceptionally helpful in creating a meaningful learning environment for all students!