Transform Your Impact: Master the Tools That Help Students with Disabilities Thrive

Wednesday, April 09, 2025 | 10:20 AM

Teacher helping students

Transform Your Impact: Master the Tools That Help Students with Disabilities Thrive

You're passionate. You're committed. But is it enough?

You show up early. Stay late. You plan, adapt, differentiate, and advocate, day in and day out, for your students with disabilities.

But despite your endless dedication, some students still struggle.

They’re falling behind in reading, writing, or math. They’re distracted. They’re disconnected. And you're left wondering:

"Am I using the right strategies to truly help them succeed?"

You’re not alone. Nearly 70% of special education teachers report feeling underprepared to meet the academic needs of students with disabilities.

It’s not about passion; you have that in spades. It’s about having access to the right tools—ones that are proven to work.

The Challenge is Real—But So Is the Solution

Special education teachers juggle more than most:

Diverse student needs (LD, ADHD, emotional/behavioral disorders)
Individualized lesson plans
Behavior management
IEP compliance and state standards
Family communication and mountains of paperwork

No wonder burnout is rampant—nearly 50% of special education teachers leave the field within 5 years. It's easy to feel stretched too thin. You may worry about falling short, disappointing students or their families, or feeling isolated in a high-stakes vocation.

But you're not here because the job is easy. You're here because it matters.

Why Traditional Strategies Aren’t Enough

In too many classrooms, special education still relies on trial-and-error methods. Teachers try multiple strategies, hoping something sticks. But without a clear plan rooted in research, progress is inconsistent, and time is lost.

According to the K-12 Dive, over 60% of students with high-incidence disabilities don’t perform at grade level in reading or math. That’s not just a statistic. That’s your classroom.

That's when evidence-based practices (EBPs) come in. EBPs are not theories—these are tested and proven strategies to address students with disabilities.

What Are Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs)?

EBPs are strategies grounded in research, tested in real classrooms, and proven to work for students with disabilities, especially those with high-incidence needs like learning disabilities, ADHD, and emotional/behavioral challenges.

With EBPs, you can:

Tailor instruction with confidence
Boost student achievement in reading, writing, and math
Improve engagement and reduce disruptive behavior
Feel more in control, less overwhelmed, and more effective

Learn and Apply EBPs with EPSY 6303

EPSY 6303: Evidence-Based Practices for Students with High Incidence Disabilities is a core course in UTRGV’s fully online M.Ed. in Special Education. In this course, you’ll go beyond theory—you’ll practice what works.

You’ll learn to:

Use step-by-step explicit instruction - Break down complex skills into manageable steps to support students with processing needs.
Incorporate peer-assisted learning - Help students support each other while reinforcing comprehension and collaboration.
Empower students with self-monitoring tools - Build independence through goal setting and progress tracking.
Leverage visual supports - Make abstract ideas concrete with graphic organizers and visual schedules.
Use quick assessments to drive instruction - Gather instant feedback to guide your next lesson, no guesswork required.
In just 10 weeks, students taught with explicit instruction gained 22% in reading fluency—a powerful example of EBPs in action.

What Educators Like You Want to Know

Q: Will this add to my workload?
A: At first, yes. But EBPs save time long-term. They reduce guesswork, streamline planning, and increase your impact.

Q: Will these strategies help all of my students?
A: Yes. EBPs address common needs found in most special education classrooms and can be adapted to a wide range of students.

Ready to Teach with Confidence?

You’re already committed. Now it’s time to gain the proven strategies that get results.

UTRGV’s 100% online M.Ed. in Special Education program is designed to give you the skills you need to support your students and strengthen your career.