Effective Instruction

Effective instruction of students with disabilities draws upon effective methods or instructional techniques that educators use to facilitate learning. The difference lies in how, when, and why the strategies are implemented. Strategies such as visual schedules, highly structured materials and directions, teaching sequence for simple facts, and sensory-specific activities are some examples of strategies that assist in effective educational design. The document Research-based Effective Teaching Principles for All Educators provides some basic effective instruction guidelines.

Reading success is the result of a systematic, comprehensive curriculum and highly effective instruction. Effective instruction for both preschool and school-aged students must be research-based, explicit, and direct. Multi-sensory instruction presented in small curricular elements practiced often, and taught to mastery is required. Lessons should be well structured and briskly paced. New material should be scaffolded upon mastered material, integrated, reviewed and practiced. Adequate time must be allotted for reading instruction and practice, and students must be actively and successfully engaged during reading instruction. Students must have the opportunity to connect and apply their mastered core skills through real world reading.