• Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)

     

    SDI makes special education special!
    SDI is teaching a student based on their particular needs, taking their disability and individual education program (IEP) goals into account and encouraging access to the same classwork that every student is taught.

     

    What does SDI look like for my child?
    - Addresses academic, social, behavioral, communication, and functional skills
    - Based on the specific needs of a child
    - Goals can be taught by general education or special education teachers and support staff
    - Teaching takes place where it is appropriate for the child (general education or special education classroom)
    - The teacher adapts the lesson plans taught to the individual student
    - Helps the student achieve their annual IEP goals

     

    How do I know it is SDI?
    SDI is comprised of the steps, procedures, strategies, or other actions taken by the teacher to promote student learning, remediate deficits created because of disability, and close the achievement gap. It is NOT actions or activities completed by the student. SDI is not a prepacked instructional program.  SDI is deliberate – planned, systematically delivered, and closely monitored for effectiveness. It is implemented to directly address a child’s IEP goals which, in turn, should enable him/her to reach grade level standards.

     

    Does my child receive SDI and why?
    If your child has an IEP, he/she will receive SDI as a part of that program. It is important that goals are written to address your child’s specific strengths and challenges.

     

    What are some examples of SDI?
    - Integrate themes into lessons
    - Modeling information for the student
    - Pre-teaching concepts
    - Teacher created learning centers
    - Use assistive technology for support
    - Using visual support
    - Verbal cues or prompts

     

    Resources 
    For additional information and resources, please visit GaDOE’s Specially Designed Instruction webpage.