Date of Award

6-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Special Education

Department

Education

First Reader/Committee Chair

Jemma Kim

Abstract

As a result of the new Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), states are required to provide students with disabilities high quality education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) to the greatest extent possible. Many students are now being educated alongside their general education peers in blended classrooms. Co-teaching has become a practical strategy to provide high-quality, individualized, and specialized education within blended classrooms. However, studies have shown that early childhood educators are not prepared to teach students with disabilities. Naturalistic instructional approaches are an evidence-based practice that can be utilized by early childhood inclusive co-teachers to teach important skills to students with and without disabilities. In the current review, I will provide an in-depth review of the literature on naturalistic instructional approaches and provide practical strategies for administrators, teachers, and paraeducators in the proper implementation of naturalistic instructional approaches.

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