¶ … general education teachers increase the likelihood that students with disabilities in their classrooms will be successful both academically and socially? One of the best ways in which students can be incorporated and taught in a regular classroom setting is by "paring" students for at least one learning activity/and/or project per day. Students should be instructed that the activity is one of mutual cooperation and instruction, and that each member is responsible for helping the other. Further, each pair should be assigned (not voluntarily chosen), and rotated, allowing the disabled student to become acquainted with each student in class and vice versa. Not only does this teach the disabled student that they are a "member" of the classroom (which they are), but it allows the typical students to learn from that child as well.

Of course, academically, it is also important to have a good grasp of the student's IEP, or "individualized education plan." A good teacher understands that this plan is an important part of his or her overall teaching responsibilities, and not just a "special education" staff issue. Good teachers know...

In short, the teacher must make an equal and creative attempt to teach the disabled student.
2. What approaches would you use to modify the persistent, disruptive behavior of an individual student?

The "token economy" is one of the most powerful tools to use in the classroom for special education students who are persistently disruptive. In simple terms, the token economy can be used to modify behavior by "awarding tokens" -- be they marbles, stars, or some other object (that is not a reward in itself) that lead up to a specific and expected reward. In some cases, the economy must be taught as an intensive concept in itself to the student. An example of this method might be a chart with four boxes. When each of these boxes has a star placed in it (with each star representing a desired behavior), the student will be allowed the reward (snack, favorite drink, time out to play, prize, etc.). When this is properly taught, the student's behavior will improve.

It is also worth noting that…