Expanded core curriculum (ECC) is a set a skills and knowledge that are needed by students with visual impairments but I believe there are many that would be good for all students. The ECC includes 9 educational needs that are addressed above and beyond the core curriculum (english, math, science, etc.). The areas of the ECC are:
1. Compensatory or functional academic skills, including comminication modes
2. orientation and mobility
3. social interaction skills
4. Independent living skills
5. recreation and leisure skills
6. career education
7. use of assistive technology
8. sensory efficiency skills
9. self-determination
These additional areas are essential to addressing the overall needs of students with visual impairments. They represent areas that are not traditionally covered in core curriculum courses. To me it sounds like a more well rounded approach to teaching students. I do think that several of these areas would benefit other students as well. Many times students leave high school being very unprepared for adult life. Teaching to the test doesn't always address the functional skills that our students need to function as independently as possible for the rest of their life. Food for thought.
I never put much thought into preparing students to be independent after school. This class, and this post, has enlightened me about this issue regarding students with visual impairments. One of the cool things about studying programs like the ECC and IDEA is that I can see such a difference in the way students have been catered to compared to when I was a student many years ago.
ReplyDeleteBut, like you said, this type of curriculum would serve all students well, rather than just the visually impaired. When I went out on my own in the early 1990's, I wasn't ready for the great big world of responsibility, but I learned albeit the hard way.
Independent skills are a must in our current society and I don't think many of the graduating seniors are ready to on their own. Therefore, some of the content areas that you listed above, for example, social interaction skills, independent living skills, career education, and self-determination, would be really valuable classes for out-going seniors to take.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely need to be focusing on independent skills for our students. What use will it be to them to pass a test if they cannot function within society. We need to do all that we can for our students while they are in school and when they are out.
ReplyDelete