Literacy includes many skills involving the use of language to read, write, listen, and speak. The ultimate goal in acquiring literacy skills is to function as independently, and in as integrated a manner as possible, in a literate society. Literary skills are critical skills for all students, both with and without disabilities. Since the 1990s, literacy has moved closer and closer to the forefront of our collective awareness regarding students who are at risk of not acquiring sufficient literacy ability. However, students with moderate and severe intellectual disability (MSID) have not always been included in this group of students. In recent years, there has been a greater effort to examine how to provide literacy instruction in a more complete and comprehensive manner for students with MSID. At the present time, there is limited research obtained directly from classroom teachers on their knowledge, beliefs, and practices about students with MSID and literacy. If we are to make effective and meaningful changes in literacy instruction for students with MSID, it is important to further investigate these variables as reported by teachers themselves. This research study examined, through the collection of survey data, teachers’ perceptions about literacy skills for students with MSID. The research questions were: (a) What do classroom teachers of students with MSID in Kentucky report as having learned in their university/college teacher preparation programs about literacy? (b) What do special education teachers in Kentucky believe about their students with MSID and literacy? and (c) In which literacy skill areas (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension) do teachers of students with MSID in Kentucky report they are providing instruction?

This chapter focuses on the process of implementing problem based assessment at the college/university level in teacher education. Past research points to an overemphasis on factual information, lecture, and paper and pencil tests in higher education. Performance based assessment is discussed as an alternative and a measure that calls for students to demonstrate more active participation, critical thinking, and work that aligns more closely to what they will actually be engaged in in the field of education after graduation. Particularly, a case study of one university's path in the implementation of performance based assessment is highlighted. The process of implementing three specific performance based assessments are considered as well as roadblocks, assets, and specific methods found to be beneficial and/or challenging.

Secondary teachers face many challenges in balancing academic and transition priorities for students with extensive support needs. This panel will provide research-based strategies for designing instruction that addresses multiple priorities in literacy, science, and mathematics lessons. Learner Outcomes: (1) Participants will describe components of self-determination that have an impact on academic achievement for students with disabilities; (2) Participants will use transition-infused academic instruction to design IEPs and lessons that value student diversity; (3) Participants will identify research-based strategies for integrating transition and academic skill instruction across content areas

We will demonstrate strategies for designing literacy instruction for secondary students with severe disabilities using personally relevant content. Learn how to choose meaningful texts/digital media for age-appropriate social skills and transition skills, strategies and resources, and how to teach content to diverse learners.

This session will focus on providing literacy instruction to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the use of story-based lessons of grade appropriate texts and systematic instruction of the five components of reading (i.e., phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, fluency). Specifically, participants will gain understanding of prompting literacy development through evidence based practices found effective for students with severe disability.

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Book Summary: Performance-based assessments have become a critical component of every teacher education program. Such assessments allow teacher candidates to demonstrate their content and pedagogical knowledge, skills, and dispositions in an authentic setting.Evaluating Teacher Education Programs through Performance-Based Assessments analyzes and discusses the theory and concepts behind teacher education program evaluation using assessment tools such as lesson plans, classroom artifacts, student work examples, and video recordings of lessons. Emphasizing critical real-world examples and empirically-based studies, this research-based publication is an ideal reference source for university administrators, teacher educators, K-12 leaders, and graduate students in the field of education.