D662: Personalized Learning for Inclusive Classrooms

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

a federal law that helps students with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed in school

free and appropriate public education (FAPE

a principle of IDEA that guarantees that students with disabilities can access educational services that are tailored to their needs without incurring costs

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs

personalized plans outlining educational goals and support services for each student with a disability

least restrictive environment (LRE)

a principle of IDEA that aims to include students with disabilities in general education classrooms to the maximum extent feasible

inclusive classrooms

classrooms that cater to all learning needs by employing various teaching strategies; an approach that not only tailors teaching for individual learners but also fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance among all students

general education classroom with support:

a student spends the entire school day in a general education classroom but receives additional support and services such as tutoring, assistance from aides, specialized technology, related services, or accommodations

partial mainstream/inclusion classroom:

a student splits their time between a general education classroom and a special education setting; they may receive individual or small-group instruction in a separate classroom or be pulled out of class for certain services while spending most of their day in the general education setting

special education class

students participate in a specialized instructional program tailored to their specific learning needs

specialized program outside of the school district

placing a student in a program outside the local school district, such as private schools, residential programs, or hospital programs

differentiated instruction

adjusting teaching methods to meet individual student needs

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

an educational framework for designing flexible learning environments and curricula that provide all students—including those with various cultural and linguistic backgrounds—equitable access to learning opportunities