Special Education Curriculum

Special education curriculum encompasses specially designed instruction, as well as all educational and related services for students identified as having a disability according to federal and state regulations. Special education curriculum has evolved throughout the eras. Early curricular models and methods of instruction were based largely on medical, psychological, and behavioral orientations with an emphasis on remediation of a deficit or disorder. Contemporary special education curricular models are tied to provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and influenced by reform movements in the fields of special (i.e., inclusive schools movement) and general education (i.e., multiculturalism).

This entry first discusses the regulations that govern special education curriculum, including the least restrictive environment (LRE) continuum and federally designated categories of disability. Next, the entry discusses ...