SPE203

• Formative and Summative Assessments


  Reflect student progress and indirectly assess teaching effectiveness
• Teacher quality


  Correlates with student learning
• Hattie's Research

  Highlights the importance of "collective teacher efficacy" in student outcomes
• Teacher Evaluation


  Comprises various key performance indicators (KPIs) set by schools
• Evaluation of Teaching


  Focuses on appraising instructional methods, decisions, and activities
• Research on Effective Teaching offers diverse perspectives, theories, and models
• Purpose of Evaluation


  Weighs the efficacy of teaching strategies in achieving specific learning outcomes
• Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs)


  Confidence in teaching effectiveness, though success depends on various factors
• Instructional System Design (ISD)


  Systematic development process that guides creation, delivery, evaluation, and management of instructional activities
• Objective-Oriented Approach


  Data gathering aligns with learning goals for valid evaluation
• The ADDIE Model


  Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate: Phases provide a structured framework for instructional design
• Backward Design


  Emphasizes starting with learning goals before selecting content and methods
• Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness


  • Student outcome data
  • Teaching and teaching material
  • Reviews and ratings
• Reflective Teaching Model


  Observation, Reflection, Planning, Action: Cyclic process for self-directed learning and improvement
• Importance of Feedback


  Influences teaching effectiveness and professional growth
• Teaching is indeed a challenging profession, especially when educators are faced with the complex demands of meeting the diverse needs of students in inclusive classrooms
• Challenges Faced by Educators


  • Job demands
  • Lack of clear understanding on roles and responsibilities
  • Adequacy of training and support
  • Recognition and organizational culture
  • Career progression
• Stress and role ambiguity

  Can lead to decreased self-efficacy and motivation among educators, ultimately impacting the quality of instruction and student outcomes
• Poorly defined job function, coupled with limited career advancement opportunities


  Contributes to high turnover rates among special education professionals
• Pay Increment


  Increased pay and better training support can help alleviate some of the stressors associated with the profession, making it more attractive and rewarding for educators
• Enhance Pathways for Development

  Expanding career progression opportunities for special educators can provide a sense of upward mobility and job satisfaction, reducing turnover rates
• Community of Practice


  Creating opportunities for educators to collaborate and share knowledge can foster a sense of community and support, enhancing professional development and reducing feelings of isolation
• Changing/Confronting the Source of Stress

  Actively addressing sources of stress, such as by seeking clarification on job responsibilities or advocating for necessary resources, can help reduce feelings of overwhelm
• Seek Social-Emotional Support


  Seeking support from trusted colleagues, friends, or mental health professionals can provide emotional validation and help educators cope with stress more effectively
• Maintain Professional Boundaries


  Recognizing the limitations of one's role and seeking assistance when necessary can prevent educators from becoming emotionally overwhelmed and ensure students receive appropriate support from trained professionals
• Addressing the challenges faced by educators in inclusive classrooms requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses both systemic interventions and personal coping strategies
• By providing adequate support, training, and recognition for educators, we can mitigate the detrimental effects of burn-out and create a more sustainable and fulfilling work environment for all stakeholders involved in special education
• The ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) offers a systematic approach to instructional design


  Educators analyze student needs, design appropriate interventions, develop instructional materials, implement teaching plans, and evaluate effectiveness to ensure continuous improvement
• Types of Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness

  • Student performance data
  • Classroom observations
  • Student feedback
  • Peer evaluations
  • Self-reflection
• Challenges of Special Educators in Singapore

  • Managing diverse learning needs
  • Navigating administrative tasks
  • Collaborating with professionals
  • Addressing behavior management
  • Ensuring inclusive practices
• Teacher burnout, resulting from chronic stress

  Can lead to decreased job satisfaction, disengagement, increased absenteeism, reduced effectiveness, and long-term health consequences, adversely affecting both educators and students in the learning environment
• Interventions and Coping Strategies for Burnout

  • Practice self-care
  • Set boundaries
  • Seek support
  • Engage in stress-relief activities
  • Foster a positive school culture
  • Prioritize tasks
  • Pursue professional development
• Assessment is crucial for gauging student learning
• Assessment methods must be fair and objective, addressing diverse needs
• SPED schools customize curriculum for students with SEND, while mainstream schools follow a standard national curriculum
• Accommodations for Assessments


  • Text-to-speech software
  • Enlarged print
  • Extended time
• Access Arrangements


  Managed by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB), students receive annotated results slips for accommodations used
• Types of Accommodations


  • Adjustments to Presentation
  • Adjustments to Response
  • Adjustments to Timing and Scheduling
  • Adjustments to Setting
• Difference Between Accommodation and Modification

  Accommodations reduce inconvenience, while modifications change learning demands
• Test-Taking Skills


  • Time management
  • Tackling easier questions first
  • Identifying keywords
  • Elimination strategies
  • Checking work