Strong classroom management may be the key to finding success as a new teacher. Yet many teachers seek additional professional development in managing classrooms that include students with disabilities. The purpose of this article is to provide new teachers and teacher educators with a prescriptive yet self-led approach to systematically improving…

Students with disabilities often find writing extremely challenging (Harris & Graham, 2016). Special educators can, however, promote tremendous gains in students' ability to write by understanding common challenges students face and mastering specific teaching techniques. Students' writing success depends on reducing how much attention and…

An overarching goal in education is to enable students to become independent and self-sufficient individuals who are able to manage their behaviors without the assistance of others. When students are able to manage their own behaviors (also known as self-regulation), they do not rely on external controls, such as teacher prompting. In general…

Self-advocacy and self-determination include the abilities to select personal goals, plan steps toward goals, assess one's progress, make choices, and self-monitor and self-evaluate one's behaviors. These are important skills in both current and future environments. Unfortunately, youth with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities…

Explains the use of videotape recordings to provide examples of self-modeling for the purpose of student behavior change. Reviews research on the efficacy of videotaped self-modeling (VSM), technological requirements, editing, arranging the videotaping, using self-modeling as a positive behavior support, and precautions and challenges. (DB)

Describes the use of photographs showing students engaging in appropriate behavior to prompt students to manage their own classroom behavior more effectively. The article gives examples of appropriate photographs and explains how to teach students to use the prompts. Inserts list photography resources and suggest classroom uses for digital…

Discusses turning the mathematics failure cycle of students with learning disabilities into a success cycle by using learning strategies and positive attributions. Identifies eight steps to success with learning strategies are as well as six steps to positive attribution in math. The attribution theory is also explained. (CR)

Describes the Graduated Reinforcement System, a simplifed token system that involves establishing a partnership with parents and students, identifying target behaviors, planning for record keeping, tallying daily/weekly points, designating the graduated reinforcement criteria, determining reinforcers for the three levels, awarding the reinforcer,…

An individualized time plan questionnaire and an individualized time plan were developed from a review of the literature concerning effective teaching and time management as well as personal experience. These tools can help teachers increase their efficiency in the areas of planning, paperwork, collaboration, and instruction. (DB)

A mnemonic strategy for writing a research paper is explained. "SCORE A" reminds the student to select a subject, create categories, obtain sources, read and take notes, evenly organize the information, and apply process writing steps. Implementation of the strategy with five eighth graders with learning disabilities is reported. (DB)

This article describes the following processes for encouraging self-management in middle-school students in inclusive classrooms: identify a problem behavior, define the target, collect baseline data, schedule a conference with the student, select self-management procedures, teach the student to use self-management procedures, implement…

A 6-step process for translating educational research findings into practice is explained. A collaborative project was implemented by 10 experienced secondary teachers of youth with mild disabilities to help students develop self-management skills. Benefits to the students and teachers are documented. (DB)

Describes one elementary school's school-wide effort to design and implement strategies for school improvement in discipline, community relations, and academic performance. Children are taught a simple three-step method for dealing with conflict. Referrals to the timeout room and discipline referrals for serious behavior infractions have been…

The Time on Computer program rewards students with emotional disabilities in grades 4-5 by allowing them to use the classroom computer and printer contingent on appropriate behavior. The program was merged with a classroom "Ladder System" which encourages self-management via privileges and restrictions. The program effects behavior improvement…

This article describes "Hot Math," a third-grade intervention conducted with small groups of students with disabilities or in inclusive classrooms that fosters mathematical problem solving. Hot Math integrates two promising practices to promote mathematical problem solving, explicit instruction about transfer and self-regulation strategies.…