Special Education
Intervention Specialists are not expected to be able to provide the number of Specially Designed Instruction minutes as if instruction was normal. In this time of Remote Learning, we ask that you make a Good Faith Effort to reasonably provide instruction connected to student’s SDI. Reference the Specially Designed Instruction During COVID-19 Closure Frequently Asked Questions (April 2, 2020), for answers to questions pertaining to Special Designed Instruction during this period of Remote Learning in CPS.
Intervention Specialists are now required to complete a new Specially Designed Instruction
Wizard in EdPlan. This wizard should be completed each time you deliver SDI services to your students. Reference the Specially Designed Instruction During COVID-19 Building Closures (April 1, 2020), for basic information pertaining to Specially Designed Instruction during this period of Remote Learning in CPS.
The completion of this wizard is in addition to the completion of the District’s Communication Log. The district log is important because it gives you the ability to document an attempt to reach your student that was not successful in a given week. This allows Intervention Specialists to show that they are making a Good Faith Effort to contact and instructionally engage all students.
Please note: DSS is experiencing a glitch in EdPlan. The new Specially Designed Instruction Wizard is not appearing in all student platforms. They are working to correct this problem.
As you consider which remote platform to use, refer to the Remote Learning Access Continuum. It will let you know what options you have when using each type of technology, from Cell Phone to High Bandwidth Internet. DSS is placing an order for iPads for use by students with disabilities that do not have access to technology at home. If you haven’t done it already, make a list of your students that do not have technology access so it can be submitted to your principal or DSS Manager at the appropriate time.
Additional Solution access has been added to the CPS Unique Learning account. This will allow Intervention Specialists and their students to access additional Unique Learning Solutions.
News-2-You, L3 Skills and Symbolstix Prime. You can also find free online PD for all of these solutions on the Unique Learning website.
CPS has now access to all sections:
1. Unique Learning System- a standard based program specifically designed for students with special needs to access the general education curriculum.
2. News-2-you- Introduces students with special needs to informational text to help them meet ELA standards and create important connections to the real world.
3. Symbol Stix Prime- Evidence based communication tool with pictures and visuals students can use to express thoughts and needs.
4. L3 Skills- Educational games students with disabilities can play while developing academic and transition skills.
5. Positivity- Behavioral solution to support classroom management.
6. Professional Development- On-line, step by step training on how to use and navigate Unique Learning System/n2y.
Unique Learning Training during COVID-19 pandemic:
Class Title: Preparing for Remote Learning COVID-19.
There are 3 courses that will take about 1 hour to complete.
- Supporting Remote Learning- Learn how student login provides students with access to ULS, Positivity, and L3skills.
- Service Provider Resources-For service providers, there is a collection of videos for getting started with features such as student login, schedules, and plans.
- Student Resources-For students, we’ve included multiple supports, such as social narratives, communication boards, and news articles.