The vast majority of students identified as needing special education (80-85%) have at least average intellectual capability. Given this population, there appears to be no reason why performance is so low, other than the low expectations that prevail in the systems that serve them, the limited opportunities provided to them to be challenged, and the strategies that have been used to meet their educational needs.

This resource kit is intended to assist administrators and teachers in improving the performance of students with disabilities taking part in the general education curriculum and related state assessment programs. It includes:

• the rationale for raising expectations for students with disabilities
• an assessment tool related to effective instructional programs
• practical ideas for elementary, middle and high school classrooms to help improve student performance
• your state-specific K-12 Curriculum Matrix for English language arts, mathematics, and science
• staff development activities on using data to improve student performance

Chapter 1 - Giving Special Education Students Their Due presents a compelling case for wholesale improvements in the academic preparation of special education students.

Chapter 2 - Assessment Tool for Program Effectiveness provides a construct for conducting a self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses using charts related to the key areas of program planning, implementation, professional development, and district support systems.

Chapter 3 - Strategies to Improve Outcomes for Students offers suggestions for elementary school, middle school, and high school classrooms and students as well as a section on behavior management.

Chapter 4 - Using Data to Improve Performance helps answer the question of what to teach in an overcrowded curriculum and introduces the Curriculum Matrix, which assigns a priority rating to a state's standards/benchmarks in English, math, and science based on (1) the emphasis given that standard on state tests and (2) the importance of that knowledge/skill relative to what graduates need for success in adult life.

Chapter 5 - Developing Skills to Use the Curriculum Matrix provides staff development activities for special educators and regular educators to help all staff understand the role they can play in improving the performance of students with disabilities.

Chapter 6 - Tackling Implementation Issues answers frequently asked questions, such as: How do we upgrade our programs for students with disabilities, and how do we decide which programs and strategies to use? What data are most useful?

Chapter 7 - State Curriculum Matrix contains the K-12 state-specific Curriculum Matrix, which helps teachers identify high-priority standards / benchmarks / performance indicators in English, math, and science so they can be reinforced in instruction.

Appendix - provides the results of the Curriculum Survey of Essential Skills for English language arts, mathematics, and science.

$295