Understanding the National Board Exceptional Needs Specialist Component 2
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) offers a certification process for educators who specialize in working with students with exceptional needs. Component 2 of the National Board Exceptional Needs Specialist (NBENS) certification focuses on "Differentiating Instruction." Here, we delve into the intricacies of Component 2, providing examples and insights to help you understand and prepare for this crucial aspect of the certification process.
What is Component 2: Differentiating Instruction?
Component 2: Differentiating Instruction assesses your ability to plan and deliver instruction that meets the diverse needs, learning styles, and abilities of students with exceptional needs. It evaluates your understanding of content, curriculum, and instructional strategies that support the learning of these students.
Key Aspects of Component 2
- Content Knowledge: Demonstrating a deep understanding of the content you teach and how to adapt it for students with exceptional needs.
- Curriculum Adaptation: Showing how you modify and adapt curriculum to meet the unique needs of your students.
- Instructional Strategies: Using a variety of instructional strategies to engage and teach students with exceptional needs.
- Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction: Using assessments and data to inform your instruction and measure student growth.
Component 2: Examples and Scoring Criteria
To help you understand Component 2 better, let's explore some examples and scoring criteria.
Example 1: Planning for Diverse Learners
Consider a 4th-grade math teacher planning a lesson on fractions. To differentiate instruction, she:
- Pre-assesses students' understanding of fractions.
- Groups students based on their understanding (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
- Prepares differentiated materials and activities for each group.
- Plans for ongoing formative assessments to monitor student progress.
This teacher demonstrates a strong understanding of Component 2 by planning for diverse learners and using data to inform her instruction.
Scoring Criteria: Planning and Preparation
| Scoring Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Accomplished | Teacher demonstrates a deep understanding of content and curriculum, using multiple data points to plan instruction that meets the diverse needs of students with exceptional needs. |
| Proficient | Teacher demonstrates a solid understanding of content and curriculum, using some data to plan instruction that meets the needs of most students with exceptional needs. |
| Developing | Teacher demonstrates a basic understanding of content and curriculum, using limited data to plan instruction that meets the needs of some students with exceptional needs. |
Preparing for Component 2
To prepare for Component 2, consider the following strategies:
- Reflect on your current practices and identify areas for growth.
- Seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or coaches.
- Engage in professional development opportunities focused on differentiating instruction.
- Practice analyzing student work and data to inform your instruction.
- Review the NBPTS rubrics and scoring criteria for Component 2.
Remember, the key to success in Component 2 is demonstrating your ability to plan and deliver instruction that meets the diverse needs of students with exceptional needs. By understanding the content, curriculum, and instructional strategies, you can effectively differentiate instruction and support the learning of all students.
