Indigenous Students with Exceptionalities Course

Welcome banner for Indigenous Students with Exceptionalities course

Welcoming and Understanding our Indigenous Students and Those with Exceptionalities.

This is a four-part course comprised of an Introduction and three Modules. This work is the result of the collaborative efforts of the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribes, Fort Lewis College, and the Colorado Department of Education. It is an open-source format designed to be accessible to anyone interested in learning more about best practices for providing culturally and linguistically relevant and sustaining education to the Native American learners, families, and Tribal communities with whom we work. There is a note catcher that corresponds to each course component for you to capture your learning. Additionally, you will find support documents and websites to further your learning. You may take this course at your own pace. If you choose to take the quizzes at the end of each course component, you will be eligible for up to 4 hours of recertification credit. Thank you for your interest in this project.

Jump to Modules

Introduction

The four-part introduction to this course provides the learner with the foundational knowledge necessary to advance through the modules. Tribal Education Directors La Titia Taylor and Tina King Washington provide important social-cultural context for working with Native students, families, and Tribal communities. Key vocabulary is defined to frame the course learning.

Watch Introduction Videos

Introduction - Part 1:
Welcome

Introduction - Part 2:
A Framework

Introduction - Part 3:
The Land

Introduction - Part 4:
Boarding Schools

Introduction - Part 5:
Current Context

Introduction Module Note Catcher

Introduction Module Note Catcher (PDF)

Additional Resources

Introduction Module Credit

Please complete this brief survey and quiz to receive a certificate for 1 training hour for the Introduction Module.

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Module 1: Factors in Equitable and Appropriate Education

Essential Question: What are cultural and linguistic factors that should be considered when providing instruction to Native American students and to those who also have exceptionalities?

In this module, you will learn about cultural and linguistic factors that may impact student performance if culturally responsive and relevant teaching is not in place. You can apply your learning from this module to your practice no matter your role. You will understand how the intercultural ideas of language and ability play out for students, families, tribal communities, and educators. Upon completing this module, you will be ready to delve deeper in module 2.

Module 2: Systematic Supports and Resources

Essential Question: What are actionable steps we can take to provide culturally relevant and linguistically responsive education to our Native learners and those with exceptionalities?

Module 2 is comprised of three videos, 1. Seeking to Understand, 2. Leveraging Language, and 3. Ways of Viewing Ability. In this module, you will analyze the pitfalls and limitations of current systemic practices in providing responsive and appropriate learning for Native learners. Upon completion, you will be able to clearly describe the adaptations that schools and districts can make to provide a richer, more welcoming, and responsive educational experience to Native learners and those with exceptionalities.

Watch Module 2 Videos

Module 2 - Part 1:
Seeking to Understand

Module 2 - Part 2:
Leveraging Language

Module 2 - Part 3:
Ways of Viewing Ability

Module 2 Note Catcher

Module 2 Note Catcher (PDF)

Module 2 Credit

Please complete this brief module survey and quiz to receive a certificate for 1 hour for Module 2.

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Module 3: Instructional Strategies

Essential Question: What Strategies can educators utilize to maximize instruction for Native American students and those with exceptionalities?

Module 3 provides useful ideas to provide a more relevant classroom experience to Native learners by adapting approaches to classroom management, language learning, and cognitive engagement, and by examining broad cultural patterns.

Watch Module 3 Videos

Module 3 - Part 1
Engagement & Motivation

Module 3 - Part 2
Language as an Asset

Module 3 - Part 3
External Factors

Module 3 Note Catcher

Module 3 Note Catcher (PDF)

Module 3 Credit

Please complete this brief module survey and quiz to receive a certificate for 1 hour for Module 3.

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Questions about this course?

Please contact the Multilingual Learners with Disabilities Specialist, Hunter Smith.

Email Hunter Smith
720-202-2523

Having trouble with this webpage?

If you have problems with broken links or accessing the content on this page, please contact the Exceptional Student Services Unit at ESSU@cde.state.co.us. Please copy the URL link for this page into the email when referencing the problem you are experiencing.