What is SDI?
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In 2018 the IDOE put out a briefing on the importance of SDI, Specially Designed Instruction. In this article they described SDI as:
The individualized instruction provided to a student receiving special education services. In other words,
“What does a student need that special education can provide?”- SDI is the instruction applied to address academic and functional deficits.
- SDI is instruction intended to close the academic gap between a student with a disability and peers.
- SDI is what makes special education “special.”
SDI IS
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- In addition to core instruction (supplemental)
- A service or support
- What an educator/staff/school personnel does
- Teaching specific skills identified as learning barriers
- Important features of a program and/or unique instruction
- Specific to the student (individualized)
- Maintaining high expectations and supporting students in the general education setting
- Promiting independence
- Presumed competence
SDI is NOT
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- In place of core instruction (supplant)
- LRE placement
- What a student does
- A restatement of the academic content standards being taught
- Naming a specific program that replaces a special education services
- Driven by programs or schedules
- Lowering expectations and/or removing students from the general education setting
- Promoting dependence
- Presumed incompetence
So many resources, so little time!
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Stepping into the world of SDI can be daunting! If you find yourself getting lost in all of the options and need a guide, reach out to us at Earlywood. Rachel Herron can help point you in the right direction, rherron@earlywood.org
Together we can help you identify the right SDI to support your learner and elevate your practice to the next level!