Modification Of The Curriculum For Children With Special Needs

A modification of the curriculum for children with special needs means that teachers ensure that all children can learn in an appropriate way.

Teachers classify a modification of the curriculum as an educational strategy.

This is basically a set of resources that are developed so that students with special needs have better access to information.

Teachers must therefore be aware of the student’s individual needs when planning the learning methodology and content.

They make the necessary changes needed to adapt the curriculum to the student’s characteristics.

The purpose is for students to be able to have better access to the material if they have some form of learning difficulty. They may even completely remove certain topics in a student’s curriculum if he or she is unable to understand them.

When do teachers make a modification of the curriculum for children with special needs?

The basic elements of each curriculum are the goal, the content and the evaluation criteria. Teachers use these three factors to design and apply the curriculum and its modifications.

The first thing you should know is how to distinguish between two different types of modifications. The difference lies in whether the teachers modify the basic elements we have just mentioned.

If they do, they make significant modifications; otherwise they make insignificant modifications.

Insignificant modifications to the curriculum

In this case, the teacher does not change the basic elements of the curriculum. However, she changes:

• Organization of methodology
• The student’s general environment
• Certain content

Within these guidelines, the modifications only affect things like the activities and the evaluation method. They never affect educational goals. They will be exactly the same as for all other students.

There will therefore be no consequences regarding the child’s evaluation or whether he or she can start the next school year.

Significant modifications to the curriculum

Significant modifications to the curriculum include things that change the fundamentals of the curriculum.

A teacher can use this as the student’s characteristics in relation to the school environment make it impossible to achieve the established goals. These needs are specifically called educational support.

In such a situation, the child can only move on to the next school year if he reaches certain concrete goals. These goals are specified at the beginning of the semester in the individual curriculum.

If life does not achieve these goals, the student can go in a year to meet the requirements required to move on. It can also be beneficial for the child’s social abilities to go in a year.

Social aspects and other aspects of modifying the curriculum

The implementation process of these modifications is very important. The decision should be made by a team that is involved in the training process. It is also important that all decisions are written down.

The basis of this practice focuses on the idea of ​​social inclusion.

The idea is that one should not discriminate against anyone, regardless of the student’s differences and abilities. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to receive an education and develop themselves professionally.

Carina Paniagua is the author of the book Modifications of the Curriculum and believes that this social inclusion includes listening, collaborating and asking questions.

It also means accepting, showing trust and being aware of the needs of diversity.

The inclusive systems presuppose that everyone has unique abilities and that everyone can learn. It is an ongoing process, where one participates on equal terms and an approach based on the idea of ​​freedom.

Talking about modifying the curriculum is one thing, but performing these modifications is another. There are certain consequences when you graduate from high school with a modified curriculum.

For example, a student who is in such a situation will not be able to choose certain types of programs later.

It is therefore important that you get professional help if you try to navigate this type of situation. Everyone involved should think carefully before making any decisions to change the curriculum.