One thing that characterizes many special needs elementary schools is the use of small learning groups as opposed to the often overcrowded classrooms found in mainstream schools. This allows teachers to provide personalized attention to each student, be sensitive to their individual needs, and ensure that no child is lost in the crowd.
What do we mean by small learning groups?
Smaller class sizes are often advertised as one of the most effective ways to improve student performance, but that does not tell you exactly what qualifies as a small class. Research suggests that it should be fewer than 20, or even 15 students. In some special needs schools, the number of students in a class will be in the single digits, maximizing the ability of teachers to pay attention to the needs of each child.
Why use small learning groups in special needs elementary schools?
The larger the class size, the harder it is for a teacher to spend time with each student, and the easier it is for quieter children to disappear into the background, their struggles unnoticed. There are a range of ways that shrinking the class size can improve the experience of both students and teachers.
Individualized instruction
In a smaller group, the teacher is able to give more attention to each student. This means they can adjust their instruction as necessary to adapt to each child’s individual needs. As every disability manifests differently, this is very important in special education programs. Everything can be tailored to the student’s specific strengths and weaknesses as required, in line with their individualized education plan (IEP).
Differentiated instruction
Differentiated instruction is another way that teachers can tailor their lessons to the individual needs of their students. It involves variety in the content, process and products of class so each child can participate, and an acceptance that students will progress at different rates. It is much easier to plan and organize differentiation effectively when there are fewer students, so you can better understand your students and plan how best to help them.
Less risk of over-stimulation
Many people with autism, intellectual disabilities and similar conditions have issues with sensory processing. Some will engage in sensory-seeking behaviour, whilst others will be easily overwhelmed by even mild stimuli. A smaller group is a quieter group and more controlled environment, which means there are fewer opportunities for sensory overload and any associated distress.
Easier to provide teaching aids and assistive technology
Teaching aids and assistive technology can be valuable in any classroom, but they are even more important for students who have different ways of learning and engaging with the world. In a smaller group, it is easier to supply additional resources for every child, including computers or tablets with specialized software.
Ongoing Assessment
Children with special needs may progress through the curriculum at different speeds, which means that teachers need to be able to perform ongoing assessments as to how well they are doing and where they are struggling. This is much simpler when there is a smaller group of children, with fewer distractions and more time to pay attention to each of them individually.
Special needs schools often prioritize small learning groups because they offer so many advantages when teaching students with autism, intellectual disabilities and other learning difficulties. They are one of the best ways to ensure that each student has access to the resources and individualized attention they need, and they allow increased flexibility for teachers.