ABSTRACT

The instructional strategies and techniques used by teachers directly impact how much and how fast students with significant cognitive disabilities (SCD) learn. Several instructional strategies have been shown to be effective in meeting the learning needs of students enrolled in general education classes including universal design, cooperative learning, peer-mediated instruction, student-directed learning, and embedded instruction. Research suggests that community-based instruction improves students' post-school adjustment in a number of areas. CBI has been used to teach a variety of activities and skills to students with SCD. One of the outcomes of moving instruction out of self-contained settings to general education classes and community settings is that the role of special educators often shifts from providing instruction to students to designing educational programs and supports so that other individuals can provide effective instruction to students. Consequently, general educators, paraprofessionals, and peers are more directly involved in supporting students' learning than ever before.