Bryant & Bryant, Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Classrooms Instructor Resource Discussion Questions

Chapter 1: Inclusive Teaching as Responsive Education

Discussion Question #1 What does disability mean? Discuss the ways different groups think about disability. How is disability defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA)? (Branson & Miller, 2002; Winzer, 2007; Lynch & Hanson, 2004; Utley & Obiakor 2001)

Discussion Question #2 What are the reasons for disabilities? How are the causes of disabilities divided into groups based on time of onset? Describe who students with disabilities are in terms of those with developmental delay.

Discussion Question #3 Describe each of the perspectives on disability. How do they differ from one another? Think about how these perspectives influence the education of individuals with disabilities. Discuss. Explain the development of special education (its origins), including its inconsistences (Ballard, Ramirez, & Weintraub, 1982).

Discussion Question #4 How are individuals with disabilities protected by legislation? Think about the laws and court decisions that lead to the protection of individuals with disabilities. Compare and contrast Section 504 and ADA. How did IDEA change over the years through reauthorizations? What did NCLB do for individuals with disabilities? Describe the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 (ATA). (Browder & Cooper-Duffy, 2003; National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2004; U.S. Senate, 2004)

Discussion Question #5 How do general education and special education differ? Summarize each of the key distinguishing features. State the six proven features of evidence-based practice. As a professional, how can you determine if a practice has the six features to be evidence- based? (Coyne, Kame’enui, & Carnine, 2011; Swanson, Hoskyn, & Lee, 1999; U.S. Department of Education, 2006)

Discussion Question #6 What services can individuals with disabilities receive in special education? Explain the balance between FAPE and LRE. Discuss the placement options for students in special education. As a teacher working with students in special education, how would each placement option benefit students? What is meant by inclusive education? (Friend, 2000; Villa, Thousand, & Nevin, 2004).