For over half a century, our nation has committed to closing achievement gaps by providing all students with equal access to high-quality education. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law in 2015, reauthorizing the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The ESSA includes provisions to uphold “critical protections for America’s disadvantaged…
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Aspiring special education teachers often pursue a master’s degree in special education to expand their skill sets and make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities. However, this only scratches the surface of what can be done with this prestigious degree. Graduates of The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts…
Every teacher has their own tried-and-true methods for managing a classroom. Common strategies include commending a student’s good behavior in front of their classmates or speaking to a disruptive student in private. Spoken praise or a stern warning can go a long way towards communicating with students of any age, but how do you connect…
Differentiated instruction, also known as differentiated learning, supports diversity in the classroom by providing multiple avenues for learning. Have you ever accounted for students’ strengths and weaknesses when developing lesson plans? Or helped a struggling student grasp a new concept by switching up your teaching method? If so, you may already be familiar with the…
The first three years of a child’s life play a crucial role in his or her development. By the time healthy toddlers are ready to enter preschool, they will have reached a number of developmental milestones, including being able to dress themselves, say their first name, and play make-believe. Infants and toddlers who are having…
ESL and bilingual education both help students build English language skills, but they take different approaches in the classroom. ESL instruction is taught in English and focuses on language immersion, while bilingual education uses both English and a student’s native language to support learning. In this article, we discuss: Watch this quick breakdown of ESL…
If you’ve ever imagined leading a school community—supporting students, guiding teachers, and making big-picture decisions that shape the future—becoming a principal might be your next step. In Texas, the path to principal certification includes a mix of education, experience, and exams. Whether you’re currently teaching or just starting to explore leadership roles, this guide will…
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with word decoding, or the ability to understand how a word’s appearance relates to what it sounds like. Regardless of their vision or intellect, people with dyslexia can experience difficulty reading, spelling, and speaking. What it’s like to live with dyslexia? Dyslexic individuals often report that they…
The vast majority of students with disabilities spend their school days in general education classrooms, surrounded by nondisabled peers. The reasons for this are clear: students with disabilities have improved academic outcomes, have fewer absences, and receive better instruction when taught alongside their nondisabled peers. However, in order for students with disabilities to master general…
Psychology is the study of the biological, social, and environmental influences that affect how people think, behave, and learn. This last item has been the subject of great debate in the special education field, where educators strive to help students overcome achievement gaps. With about 14% of all public school students in the U.S. receiving…