ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses educational placements for students with disabilities, effective teaching strategies, accommodations, including 504 plans, and modification. The special education placements in public schools are typically full inclusion, resources room, and self-contained classrooms. Effective teaching strategies that facilitate learning for all students include direct instruction, sheltered instruction, and Universal Design for Learning. These strategies can provide equal access to content and instruction, individualization, and opportunities to demonstrate knowledge. At times, accommodations and modifications may also be necessary, which may be identified on a student’s IEP or 504 plan. Accommodations compensate for academic or behavioral challenges without changing the rigor and expectations of the lesson or assignment. Accommodations are often integrated into lessons for the entire class, but to ensure their accessibilities they may also be documented on a 504 Plan or IEP. A 504 plan or accommodation plan affords reasonable accommodations to a student with a disability who does not qualify for special education services. Modifications change and lower the rigor expectations of student learning.
