There are a variety of resources available for special education classrooms. Each may be intended for a particular audience, such as students or teachers. It is important to be aware of what resources are available from your school district and other organizations that can help you to implement best practices as you teach your students.
Resources for Special Education Teachers includes lesson plans, instructional strategies and classroom management tips for all students with special needs. The site also has links to additional resources on the web.
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) offers information and support for special education teachers. The purpose of CEC is to improve the educational success of children and youth with exceptionalities, which include disabilities and gifts or talents.
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) provides information on disabilities in children and youth, helping families and professionals to locate resources at the state level.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website offers information on the federal law that governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than six million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
In addition to government resources, special education teachers should consider joining a professional organization or attending a conference that can help them connect with other professionals in the field. There are many different organizations for special educators, including the Council for Exceptional Children, National Association of Special Education Teachers, and National Education Association (NEA).
A resource for special education teachers is a “pull-out” program that provides students with individualized special education programs. A resource room may provide services to students in an elementary school, middle school, or high school setting.
Resource rooms are designed to provide special education programs to students with learning disabilities. Students who fall under this category have been tested and diagnosed with a learning disability, such as dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
There are a number of different resources for special education classrooms including assistive technology, which can be used to help students communicate, as well as access textbooks and complete assignments. There are also often additional personnel within special education classrooms, like paraprofessionals. Some students may even receive specialized instruction outside of the classroom in a self-contained unit.
Most schools provide professional development opportunities for special education teachers, including access to a resource room or teacher’s library filled with books, videos, and other materials on a variety of topics from behavior management to modifying tasks for students with learning disabilities. In addition, educators can also find online resources for special education such as articles and webinars about strategies for teaching students with disabilities. These online resources typically target general education teachers as well as special education teachers because most students with disabilities spend the majority of their school day in the general education classroom.