The big reason that I committed to research on the topic of Reading Compression for students with special needs surfaced after teaching numbers students with mild to severe special needs and realizing that there is an achievement gap in the area of reading comprehension. I have a personal connection to my action research project; as an individual who struggled in school, along with my son struggling as a fourth-grade student and reading at a primer level. These experiences prompted me to change my major from Forensic Science to education in 2004.
According to Shaun Heasly in the 2015-21016 academic school year, there were 6.6 million students in our nation with special needs (disabilities). The next academic school year, there was an additional 1,000,000,000 children diagnosed with a disability. In 2013 sixty-six percent of 4th-grade students scored "below proficient" (The National Children's Book Literacy Alliance, p.. 1, 2019). I find this to be alarming. I believe that a students ability to read and comprehend what they are learning is a foundational skill for success. Reading and comprehension is an essential skill in all academic subject areas and the ability to access their community, college, and careers. Once I have completed my masters in Innovative Learning, I plan to obtain an administrative position. I hope that as an administrator, I will have the opportunity to utilize my newly acquired knowledge. I plan to create an even more innovative learning environment for my current students. Additionally, I plan to use my new skills in creating supplemental teaching, learning skills for teachers and students. Lastly, I see myself continuing what I have started not only within my classroom but at a site and ultimately at a district level within 1-3 years. I hope to provide professional development workshops for other teachers, parents, and support staff members that work with students with special needs.
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2018/06/05/special-ed-enrollment-upward/25150/
The 2013 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reading test results
https://thencbla.org/literacy-resources/statistics/
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For this blog assignment I choose to review and comment on two Innovators, Ms. Jennifer Perkins and Mr. Cerda.. In review M. Jennifer Perkins it appeared that her audience could include educational professionals in the subject areas of Mathematics, along with other subject areas, along with other stakeholders who work with students who access instruction in the areas of mathematics, technology, and science. While her capstone project specifically targets Mathematics, other teachers and their students can benefit from the utilization of the flipped and in-class flip classroom model. Additionally, the innovative strategies shared and the in-class flip concept eliminates any potential lack of technical devices, internet service, and possible lack of parental support in the home for students who struggle. Ms. Perkins was very effective in presenting to her audience in every page. Her pages were specific, clear, and transferable to a broader audience other than Mathematics education teachers. Ms. Perkins pages were detailed and consisted of summaries of standards, competencies, TPAK, and ISTE, along with districts emphasis. However, it lacked specific Mathematic standards or benchmarks relating to the use of technology. Cerda: Mr. Cerda's audience includes teachers of various subject areas. Unlike Ms. Perkins, it was evident that Mr. Cedra was focusing on a national dilemma of overcrowded large classroom size. His focus on the use of videos in the classroom, to promote engagement and students taking ownership of their learning serves as e positive solution in an educational learning environment, that consists of students with various learning levels, needs and need for differentiated instruction. Additionally, the use of technology in creating videos, conducting research, etc. provides students with much need skills that can be transferable to post-secondary settings (i..e. college and/or career). Mr. Cerda was marginally effective on his pages. Standards and Competencies proved to be vague. Detailed standards were absent. While his inspiration was brief, it provided the audience with specific data regarding the Achievement Gap and research. Image:
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Use of Innovative strategies to improve reading comprehension for students with special needs. Who might be the audience for such an action research project? I believe the audicence members will include: special education, general education teachers, site, district administrators, support staff members, parents, community members and other stakeholders who work with students struggling with special needs. I am confident that these audience members all share a common focus and desire to work collaboratively in improving the reading comprehension for students with special needs. Additionally, the innovative strategies used when working with students are achieving below grade level or have specific learning disabilities in the area of reading. Lastly, I believe that reading comprehension is foundational and a necessity to a student's academic success in all subject areas, including mathematics, social studies, science, and various elective courses. Image: http://www.clipartpanda.com/clipart_images/download-this-image-as-59138227 |
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