The Special Needs Section
The Special Needs section of your Portfolio should emphasize and demonstrate the following, many of which are articulated in the standards of various jurisdictions, including the Ontario College of Teachers' Standards of Practice:
- Recognition that some students have needs beyond mainstream classroom considerations and that modification of planning and assessment practices may be needed to accommodate those learners in your classroom.
- Collaboration with students and their parents is essential in meeting student needs and in helping students become self-advocates.
- An acknowledgement that specialist knowledge of others is often needed to meet exceptional needs.
We recommend the following entries to this section:
- A Belief Statement that includes reference to respect, multiple ways of learning and of demonstrating that learning, working from student strengths, and accommodating individual needs while meeting curricular expectations.
- A table of your Skills and Knowledge in relation to special needs, indicating the type of need, the first name and age or grade level of the person, the context, and your comments / reflection.
- Modifying Planning or Program to Meet Special Needs, including the indivdiual's first name and age/grade, the program modification, and comments/reflection.
- A short form Individual Education Plan (IEP) from your teaching or other personal experience, showing your awareness of the essential components of an individualized education plan and its implementation.
Some of your experiences may have occurred outside the classroom. These are fine to include: just be sure to include the context.
The Build Your Portfolio assistant will give you specific tables and charts that you can use to keep this compacted.
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