Specially Designed Instruction

Rule 6A-6.03411 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), defines specially designed instruction (SDI) as follows:

Specially designed instruction means adapting, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible exceptional student, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs of the student that result from the student’s disability or giftedness and to ensure access of the student to the general curriculum, so that he or she can meet the educational standards within the jurisdiction of the school district that apply to all students.

An article from the 2013 Odyssey (DesGeorges, 2013, p. 30-33) discusses how individualizing deaf education services is critical to success. But what is individualized deaf education in a world driven by course codes? The Florida Department of Education discusses the importance of SDI in their technical assistance paper, What’s Special about Special Education? Specially Designed Instruction for Students with Disabilities within a Multi-tiered System of Supports, including its relationship with standards-based core instruction. 

One of the reasons SDI is integral is that students who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) need instruction in Florida’s Expanded Skills and/or Speech & Auditory Training Standards. These standards focus on the unique skills students need to access their environment, receive meaningful educational benefit from the educational experience, and prepare them for postsecondary education and/or employment.