HLP #17: Use Flexible Grouping

Summary

This video covers High-Leverage Practice 17: Use Flexible Grouping in special education. It explores how teachers can effectively use flexible grouping to differentiate instruction, meet individual student needs, and enhance interpersonal skills. The video highlights the importance of careful planning in group formation—whether homogeneous or heterogeneous—and integrating it with other high-leverage practices for best results. Teachers are encouraged to provide clear directives, ensure student accountability, and tailor groupings based on data, lesson goals, and IEPs. Through intentional, structured grouping, students can receive both intensive and collaborative learning experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Flexible grouping in special education should be carefully planned to meet the diverse needs of students and improve learning outcomes.
• 😀 Teachers need to adjust groupings based on lesson goals, objectives, and student needs to ensure effective learning.
• 😀 Flexible grouping is not a standalone practice and should be combined with other high-leverage practices for best results.
• 😀 Teachers should monitor group performance, provide feedback, and hold students accountable for their contributions in group work.
• 😀 Small, homogeneous groups can be used to provide intensive instruction to students with similar academic needs.
• 😀 Heterogeneous groups, comprising students with different skill levels, help facilitate collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills development.
• 😀 Clear expectations and structured routines are crucial for students to succeed in both homogeneous and heterogeneous groups.
• 😀 Teachers should continuously review and reinforce group expectations to ensure that students know their roles and responsibilities.
• 😀 Instructional decisions, such as group size and structure, should be guided by data on student performance and IEP goals.
• 😀 Flexible grouping works best when paired with evidence-based practices and specific instructional strategies tailored to student needs.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of using flexible grouping in special education?

Flexible grouping is designed to address the diverse needs of students by allowing teachers to strategically organize students into different group sizes and structures based on lesson goals and individual student needs.

How should flexible grouping be used alongside other high-leverage practices (HLPs)?

Flexible grouping should be combined with other HLPs, such as adapting curriculum materials, providing intensive instruction, and teaching social behaviors. It is not effective as a standalone practice but works best when paired with other targeted instructional strategies.

Why is it important for teachers to carefully plan group size and structure?

Carefully planning group size and structure ensures that the groupings are intentional and match the lesson’s goals and the students’ learning needs. This approach maximizes learning gains and helps address the complexities of the curriculum.

What role does teacher feedback play when using flexible grouping?

Teacher feedback is essential for monitoring student performance, providing constructive guidance, and ensuring students are held accountable. Regular feedback helps sustain productive group interactions and supports individualized learning.

What is the difference between homogeneous and heterogeneous groups?

Homogeneous groups consist of students with similar academic strengths and needs, allowing for targeted, intensive instruction. Heterogeneous groups involve students of varied abilities and knowledge levels, promoting collaboration and interpersonal skills development.

How does using flexible grouping improve students' interpersonal skills?

By working in various group settings, students learn how to communicate, collaborate, and build relationships with peers, which enhances their interpersonal skills. This is particularly important for students with disabilities, as it helps them navigate social interactions.

What should be the focus when organizing homogeneous groups for instruction?

When organizing homogeneous groups, the focus should be on specific instructional goals based on students' shared academic needs, as identified through progress monitoring data and IEP goals. This allows teachers to provide more focused and intensive support.

What is the role of explicit instruction when using flexible grouping?

Explicit instruction is vital for ensuring that students clearly understand group roles, expectations, and the content they will be working on. This includes teaching routines, expectations, and strategies for collaboration within different group settings.

How can teachers ensure students understand their roles and responsibilities within a group?

Teachers can ensure understanding by providing clear, explicit instructions about each student’s role, reviewing expectations regularly, and modeling appropriate behavior. Continuous monitoring and feedback are also crucial to maintaining accountability.

How can the use of flexible grouping contribute to academic success for students with disabilities?

Flexible grouping allows teachers to tailor instruction to meet the specific needs of students with disabilities. By using both homogeneous groups for intensive instruction and heterogeneous groups for collaborative learning, teachers can support individualized learning while fostering social development.