11/11/2021
PURPOSE:
what is the purpose of learning (for all students)? This question needs to be in the forefront of all planning.
Do we want our students to grow up to work & play in isolated environments OR do we want our students to learn how to work & play in social communities?
Following a traditional learning model, the purpose of education is to follow along with the grade level curriculum. If you struggle to do so, you are seen as having a deficit and this deficit needs to be targeted by adaptations or modifications. These adaptations & modifications are viewed as modes of fixing the student or filling in the blanks. Often, the support happens in a pull out model (at random times that do not make sense with the schedule). Students are then put back in class with little opportunity to practice those skills & concepts.
First- STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE FIXED (they do need support, but they are not broken).
Second- Unlearn the traditional learning model. An IE approach just makes sense for all involved, especially out students.
Pulling students out to work on deficits or challenges assumes that those areas are not connected to any other area of the child’s learning or whole person. This is wrong- it teaches the wrong purpose.
When requiring support, our students often require it in various areas and across various context. Support in isolation is not going to be as effective as it could be in social settings.
Pulling students out pulls support staff away from other students who may not ‘qualify’ for additional support. Additional support in the room is helpful to all students- not just the one or two who meet the requirements of ‘pull out’.
A condition of being human is that we are social beings. This means we can thrive or dive in social settings. We want all our students to thrive in community (whatever that looks like)- they need to learn in the community, learn from one another, support one another- students are each others biggest assets.
I hate to point out the obvious, but if you want to ski you go to a snow covered hill- not a grassy field. We learn in the appropriate context.
In sum, instead of looking at learners as having deficits that need to be fixed, the purpose of education should remain focused on devepoping well rounded individuals who have the skills & strategies to particiapte and succeed in society.
What if we plan our lessons to ensure all our students can effectively contribute and participate in the learning community? What does that mean? It means we need to anticipate supports for the WHOLE group so all students can contribute and participate. We need to teach these supports and strategies to all students.
