Case Study Guide

Throughout this course, you will work on a comprehensive Case Study where you will demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge of IEP development, instructional planning, assistive technologies, behavior management, communication needs, and learning environment considerations.

Complete Part I and II below. Note: Part I is due in Week 5 and Part II is due in Week 6.

Part I – Observation and Summary

Arrange to visit a special education environment in an elementary, middle, or high school setting.

Observe a student with a physical or health-related disability, such as an orthopedic, sensory, or other health impairment (OHI).

Note the following while observing the student:

• Student’s grade level and type of class
• Student’s identified impairment/disability
• Student’s academic and functional skills
• Student’s level of engagement, motivation, and behavior
• Instructional strategies or adaptations utilized
• Learning environment specifics (including physical attributes)
• Certified and support staff present

Write a 350- to 525-word summary of your observation experience that answers the following questions:

• What is the student’s age, grade level, and type of school?
• What kind of classroom was the student in (i.e. resource, general education, or self-contained)?
• Does the student have any functional skill deficits? If yes, how would you describe them?
• What was the topic and content area of the lesson and how was it taught (e.g., whole group, small group, or one-on-one)?
• How engaged or on-task was the student? Were they interested in the topic and content area?
• Were there any behavior problems? If yes, what were they and how were they handled?
• What were the disability-specific instructional strategies or adaptations you observed? If none, how was the lesson presented?
• How was the learning environment set up to accommodate the student? Were the accommodations helpful? If not, what would make them helpful?
• Were there any other school personnel present, including a paraeducator? If yes, who were they, what was their role, and how did the student respond to them?

Part II – Interview and Report

Interview the special educator who works with the student you observed in Part I.

Use the following questions to guide your interview (as well as any other questions you may want to include):

• What are the learning, behavioral, and social/emotional characteristics of the student observed?
• What are the student’s present levels of educational performance?
• What types of annual IEP goals does the student have?
• What types of assessments are used to provide you with information on the student’s strengths and needs?
• Are there any functional skill implications for the student? If yes, how are they addressed?
• How do you teach this student? What types of accommodations do you use with this student?
• How is technology being utilized with this student? What technologies or assistive technologies may be beneficial or appropriate for this student?
• What instructional considerations need to be made for reading, written expression, and mathematics?
• What are the student’s behavior management, health care, and self-management needs? What are some suggested strategies for each?
• How do you incorporate family and community support in working with this student?
• What are some transition planning strategies being used or considered for this student?

Write a 2-page educational report based on the information from the student’s IEP, your observation, and the teacher interview. Ensure you include the following:

• Brief description of student
• Present levels of performance (academic)
• Types of IEP annual goals (provide examples if teacher provides)
• Educational service delivery system
• Instructional considerations and accommodations or modifications in place
• Level of engagement, motivation to learn, and behavior considerations
• Technology utilized or recommended
• Level of family support
• Transition planning elements in place or projected