Desert View Middle School Inclusion Works

1
Desert View Middle School Inclusion Works!

• Best Practices Conference
• May 2, 2005
• Ricardo López, Linda Cazares, Irma Jo Mendez, and
  Olga Perez

2
Background

• Presenters Background
• School History
• Years using inclusionary model

3
School Demographics

• 52 Economically Disadvantaged
• 78 Hispanic
• 13 White
• 7 African American
• 2 Other
• 14 Special Education

4
TAKS Scores

• TAKS scores for years 2003 and 2004
• Reading 2003 89
• 2004 91
• Writing 2003 89
• 2004 95
• Math 2003 74
• 2004 78
• S. Studies 2003 84
• 2004 86

5
State-Developed Alternative Assessment

• 85 of Special Education students met ARD
  expectations for the 2003-2004 school year.

6
Special Education Programs

• Social Skills Class
• Instructional Skills Class
• Resource Classes
• Inclusion Classes (Co-Teaching model)
• Stallion Corral

7
What are the goals of Co-Teaching?

• To increase mastery in subject areas through
  inclusion
• To design lessons that incorporate effective
  instructional practices and accommodations for
  all students
• To provide an atmosphere where all students feel
  accepted and work together

8
How do we begin?

• Planning- Start small, criteria for teacher
  selection, criteria for student selection, and
  integrate planning time into teachers schedules
• Building Relationships- Attend professional
  development with a co-teaching partner, discuss
  objectives

9
How do we begin?

• Program Parameters- Begin with two to three
  co-teaching models and ensure that teachers have
  sufficient time together
• Evaluating Effectiveness- Collect student
  progress, conduct periodic evaluations, and
  develop instrument of accountability

10
Role of the Administrator

• Create a brainstorm list
• For information regarding this program please
  call Stetson and Associates [phone]

11
Key components to watch for

• Matching the right teachers together
• Proper training before implementation
• Having high expectations for special education
  students to be successful
• Proper belief system
• Meeting for success
• Watch ARD dates!
• Use data from classroom to set appropriate
  testing expectations(SDAA, LDAA, or TAKS)

12
Why Inclusion?

• The man who does not read good books has no
  advantage over the man who cannot read them.
  Mark Twain
• Students exposed to higher expectations have
  accelerated cognitive growth
• Being part of a regular setting builds confidence
  and self esteem
• AYP? With the new No Child Left Behind
  Legislation students will have to learn at
  accelerated levels

13
Questions?

• Ricardo López
• Principal
• Desert View Middle School
• El Paso TX
• 915-434-5300
• RLopez1_at_YISD.net