Teaching in a Special Education Classroom

Roger Pierangelo is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education and Literacy at Long Island University. He has been an administrator of special education programs and served for eighteen years as a permanent member of Committees on Special Education. He has over thirty years of experience in the public school system as a general education classroom teacher and school psychologist, and is a consultant to numerous private and public schools, PTAs, and SEPTA groups. Pierangelo has also been an evaluator for the New York State Office of Vocational and Rehabilitative Services and a director of a private clinic. He is a New York State licensed clinical psychologist, certified school psychologist, and a Board Certified Diplomate Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychology and Forensic Psychology. Pierangelo is currently president of The National Association of Special Education Teachers, executive director of The American Academy of Special Education Professionals, and vice-president of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education. Pierangelo earned his BS degree from St. John's University, his MS from Queens College, Professional Diploma from Queens College, PhD from Yeshiva University, and Diplomate Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychology and Forensic Psychology from the International College of Professional Psychology. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, New York State Psychological Association, Nassau County Psychological Association, New York State Union of Teachers, and Phi Delta Kappa. Pierangelo is the coauthor of numerous books, including The Big Book of Special Education Resources and The Step-by-Step Book Series for Special Educators. George Giuliani is an assistant professor at Hofstra University's School of Education and Allied Health and Human Services, in the Department of Counseling, Research, Special Education, and Rehabilitation. He is the executive director of the National Association of Special Education Professionals, president of the National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE), vice-president of the National Association of Special Education Teachers, and an educational consultant for various school districts. He has provided numerous workshops for parents and teachers on a variety of special education and psychological topics. Giuliani earned Board Certification as a Diplomate Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychology and Forensic Psychology from the International College of Professional Psychology. Giuliani is also a New York State licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, and has an extensive private practice focusing on children with special needs. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, New York State Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, Suffolk County Psychological Association, Psi Chi, American Association of University Professors, and the Council for Exceptional Children. Giuliani earned his BA from the College of the Holy Cross, MS from St. John's University, JD from City University Law School, and PsyD from Rutgers University, The Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. Giuliani is the coauthor of numerous books, including The Big Book of Special Education Resources and The Step-by-Step Book Series for Special Educators.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Step I. What to Do Before the Start of School Getting to Know Your Students Step II. Designing and Setting Up Your Classroom Classroom Design Setting Up Your Classroom Evaluating Existing Materials Step III. Meeting With Parents and Staff Members Communicating With Parents Meeting With Your Assistant Teacher or Aide Communicating With Related Service Providers Communicating With Your Regular Education Teachers Communicating With the Mainstreamed Class and Teachers Step IV. Factors Affecting Curriculum Performance for Students With Special Needs Introduction Factors Affecting Curriculum for Children With Special Needs Step V. Adapting the Curriculum for Students With Special Needs What Are Curriculum Adaptations? Examples of Curriculum Adaptation Ways to Adapt the Curriculum Adapting Response Mode Step VI. Classroom Management of Children With Specific Disabilities Students With Learning Disabilities Students With Mental Retardation Students With Emotional Disabilities Students With Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder Step VII. Applying Instructional Interventions for Specific Behaviors Exhibited in the Classroom by Students With Emotional and/or Behavioral Disorders Instructional Interventions for Attendance Problems Instructional Interventions for Difficulty With Transitions Instructional Interventions for Disrespect to Teachers Instructional Interventions for Classroom Disruption Instructional Interventions for Failure to Accept Responsibility for Own Behavior and/or Consequences for Misbehavior Instructional Interventions for Interpersonal Relationships With Peers Instructional Interventions for Out-of-Control Behaviors Instructional Interventions for Passive Resistance Instructional Interventions for Not Respecting Property or Personal Space of Others Instructional Interventions for Verbal Aggression Instructional Interventions for Verbal Outbursts Step VIII. Understanding Grading Options for Students With Special Needs Grading Approaches Reporting to Parents Step IX. Developing Educational Treatment Plans for Your Students Step X. End-of-School-Year Responsibilities Triennial Evaluation Reports Annual Review Meetings Declassification Consideration and Procedures Extended-School-Year Services End-of-the-Year Reports References Glossary Index

"Offers many helpful strategies and suggestions not only for the novice teacher, but an experienced teacher as well. Easy to read, it describes how to set up different types of classroom environments, where to go to get additional information, how to work with parents, how to end the school year, and more. I felt motivated and ready to go into the classroom." -- Ramona Marquez, Director of Special Education "An extensive overview of what to expect as a beginning special education teacher. This book would have been useful at the beginning of my career." -- John Fry, Special Education and Social Studies Teacher "Provides a great deal of useful information in one concise book. The tips and strategies provided will help any teacher grow professionally." -- Teri Fechter, Specific Learning Disabilities Teacher "Probably one of the best books I've read that guides special educators from the beginning of the year to the end." -- Nicole Chiarello-Guyon, Special Education Teacher