2016 Education

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Page 6 2016 EDUCATION MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY March 1, 2016
Aper added, “The language
development has been
substantial.” Grasch and Aper
tell how more than one student
was considered non-verbal
when they came in, and a few
months of peer encouragement
and examples have helped
them make great strides in
communicating with other kids,
as well as grown ups.
The concept of blended
learning environments where
special education students are
no longer separated from the
traditional classes has been
growing for many years now in
the upper grades. Qualifying
special education students
have an Individual Education
Plan (IEP) that outlines what
services and support each one
needs. This allows them to
participate in standard general
education classes with the help
of a paraprofessional aide who
has knowledge of the student’s
IEP accommodations. This
is standard practice in K-12
districts around the country.
In recent years this model has
inspired districts like CEL to try
it in their ECE/Pre-K programs
as well.
While CEL is principally
concerned with the students
in their own district, they do
provide limited openings for
those outside it to participate as
well. Aper says they currently
have six out-of-district students.
Strict limits have been set to
keep a balance in the classroom
and to assure that every student
gets the attention and time they
need to progress and learn. The
program must also accommodate
for the possibility of new
students moving into the district
who need services, so a few
empty slots are maintained for
just that situation.
The program has already seen
early success, as Aper explains,
they have seen less need for
support in the Kindergarten
class. The program is still very
young, so only time will tell
as they continue the program
and watch the earliest blended
students progress through the
later grades, but early results are
promising.
Early screening is key to
getting younger children with
deficiencies identified and on
track to receive the help they
need. CEL and other districts
will do this screening annually,
often in the Spring or Summer,
so adequate planning can be
done for the fall start dates.
CEL will do their next screening
on March 30.
At left: Holly Grasch
reads a story to her
blended Early
Childhood
Education
and Pre-K class.
The newer program
is seeing
successes.
Students are more
ready for academics
and the classroom.