Effective general education instruction is key

The key to better outcomes for students with disabilities lies in effective general education instruction. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows a link between higher performance in general education students and better results for students with disabilities. Since students with special needs and those who find learning challenging spend most of their day in regular classrooms, it's crucial for the main teacher to address their needs through core instruction.

However, in some places, there's a trend where special education staff take the lead in helping students with disabilities. For instance, in many schools, struggling elementary students are taken out of regular reading sessions to be taught separately by a special education teacher or assistant.

Despite good intentions, these practices might not be the best for students with special needs. Students generally fare better when their main teacher in regular classes takes the lead in their learning. Even additional support, like interventions, is often more effective when provided by regular education staff, a principle emphasized by Response to Intervention (RTI). Essentially, approaches such as RTI highlight the importance of general education as the basis for the success of all students.