Self-Determination

Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ph.D. is Professor of Special Education; Director, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities; and Associate Director, Beach Center on Disability, all at the University of Kansas. Dr. Wehmeyer is engaged in teacher personnel preparation in the area of severe, multiple disabilities and directs multiple federally funded projects conducting research and model development in the education of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is the author of more than 180 articles or book chapters and has authored, co-authored or co-edited 19 books on disability and education-related issues, including issues pertaining to self-determination, transition, universal design for learning and access to the general curriculum for students with significant disabilities, and technology use by people with cognitive disabilities. He is a Fellow of the American Association on Mental Retardation, a past president of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition, and is Editor-in-Chief for the journal Remedial and Special Education. In 1999 Dr. Wehmeyer was the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Early Career Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division for Research. In May, 2003 he was awarded the American Association on Mental Retardation’s National Education award. Dr. Wehmeyer holds undergraduate and Masters degrees in special education from the University of Tulsa and a Masters degree in experimental psychology from the University of Sussex in Brighton, England, where he was a Rotary International Teacher of the Handicapped Fellow. He earned his Ph.D. in Human Development and Communication Sciences from the University of Texas at Dallas. Sharon Field, Ed.D., is Professor (Research) and Co-director of the Center for Self-Determination and Transition in the College of Education at Wayne State University. Her areas of specialization include self-determination, transition and life skills, and applied positive psychological practices. She has directed several federally funded transition and self-determination projects. Through these projects she developed, with Dr. Alan Hoffman, a model of self-determination and the Steps to Self-Determination curriculum and, with Drs. Alan Hoffman and Shlomo Sawilowsky, a self-determination assessment battery. She has written extensively on self-determination for persons with and without disabilities. Her work has included development of materials and strategies to promote self-determination at the early childhood, elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels. She is also the lead author of The Self-Determined Educator, a set of instructional modules for use in initial preparation and staff development settings designed to promote self-determination for teachers and Self-Determined Parenting , an instructional support program for parents. She has direct service experience in schools as a special education teacher, job placement specialist and administrator. Dr. Field earned her Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and her Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Governance and Administration from the University of Washington.

Preface
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
1. Self-Determination: What Is It and Why Is It Important to Students With Disabilities?
Self-Determination: What Is It?
A Functional Model of Self-Determination
A Five-Step Model of Self-Determination
Self-Determination: Why Is It Important to Students With Disabilities?
Impact of Promoting Component Elements of Self-Determined Behavior
Impact of Promoting Self-Determination
2. Self-Determination in the Era of Standards-Based Reform
Promoting Self-Determination in the General Education Curriculum
Self-Determination Content in General Education Standards
Self-Determination and Curriculum Modifications
Infusing Instruction Into the General Education Curriculum Planning
Curriculum Content
3. Educational Planning and Student Involvement
IEP Planning, Access to the General Education Curriculum, and Self-Determination
Supplementary Aids and Services
Specially Designed Instruction
Other Educational Needs
Self-Advocacy and Student Involvement in Educational Planning
Promoting Self-Advocacy
Student Involvement in Educational Planning
4. Schoolwide and Classroom Ecological Interventions
Quality Indicators of Programmatic Efforts
Quality Indicator #1: Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes for Self-Determination Are Addressed in the Curriculum, in Family Support Programs, and in Staff Development
Quality Indicator #2: Students, Parents, and Staff Are Involved Participants in Individualized Educational Decision Making and Planning
Quality Indicator #3: Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff Are Provided With Opportunities for Choice
Quality Indicator #4: Students, Families, Faculty and Staff Are Encouraged to Take Appropriate Risks
Quality Indicator #5: Supportive Relationsips Are Encouraged
Quality Indicator #6: Accommodations and Supports for Individual Needs Are Provided
Quality Indicator #7: Students, Families, and Staff Have the Opportunity to Express Themselves and Be Understood
Quality Indicator #8: Consequences for Actions Are Predictable
Quality Indicator #9: Self-Determination Is Modeled Throughout the School Environment
5. Teacher-Directed Instructional Strategies
Learning Process Strategies
Modeling and Mentors
Cooperative Learning Groups
Coaching
Behavioral Strategies
Teaching Component Elements of Self-Determined Behavior
Teaching Goal Setting and Attainment
Teaching Problem Solving
Teaching Decision Making
Fostering Self-Awareness and Self-Knowledge
Promoting Choice Making
Attribution Retraining
Curricular Materials
6. Student-Directed Learning and Peer-Mediated Instructional Strategies
Student-Directed Learning Strategies
Antecedent Cue Regulation
Self-Monitoring, Self-Evaluation, and Self-Reinforcement
Self-Instruction
Multiple Strategy Use
The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction
Peer-Mediated Learning Strategies
7. Assessing Student Needs and and Evaluation Program
Assessing Instructional Needs in Self-Determination
The Arc′s Self-Determination Scale
Self-Determination Assessment Battery
The AIR Self-Determination Scale
Program Evaluation
Empowerment Evaluation
8. Family Support for Self-Determination
How Families Impact Student Self-Determination
Strategies and Resouces to Help Family Members Learn About Self-Determination
Family Support for Self-Determination: Tips and Tools
Sharing Stories About Self-Determination
Making the Most of Teachable Moments
Providing a Positive Role Model of Self-Determination
9. Nurturing the Self-Determination of Teachers
What Do Educators Need to Know to Be Self-Determined in Their Work?
What Can Teachers Do to Build and Nurture Their Self-Determination?
Resource A. Self Determination Quality Indicators Assessment Tool
Resource B. The Arc′s Self-Determination Scale
References
Index