Learn about eight conditions or principles associated with literacy learning success for students with significant support needs.

Learn about the need for more knowledgeable others to provide instruction, to support and problem-solve learning challenges, and to help students experience the value and joy of reading.

Learn about the importance of students having ways to communicate, whatever the means, to engage in literacy learning.

Learn about how teachers can provide repetition with variety to give students opportunities to use new information in familiar experiences.

Learn about instructional practices that teachers can apply to promote cognitive engagement and support students in turning their brains on and engaging because they want to engage, not because they have to complete the task.

Thanks to the leadership and generosity of Iowa and Emily Thatcher, the DLM Essential Elements are being unpacked by a team of educators in Iowa with the guidance of Claire Greer of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies. Unpacking has been completed for ELA and mathematics.

Universal Design is an approach to curriculum design that can help teachers customize curricula to serve all learners, regardless of ability, age, gender, or cultural and linguistic background.

The Communication Supports Inventory- Children & Youth (CSI-CY) is a tool to help professionals working with students with complex communication needs make educational plans that are comprehensive enough to capture their strengths and restrictions. The CSI-CY is designed to make goal writing easier for teachers and speech-language pathologists who work with students who are augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users or potential users.

Many teachers plan their instruction by using existing lesson plans. Starting with a lesson from a curriculum package, an online site, or a colleague may save time, but also requires adjustments to meet your needs as a teacher and the needs of your students, especially those with significant cognitive disabilities.

Learn about the importance of having cognitive clarity—understanding why you are doing what you are doing—for teachers, classroom staff, and students alike.

Learn about the power and necessity of students making personal connections to the curriculum and practical ideas for teachers to promote these critical connections.

Learn about each of the elements of daily comprehensive instruction that are required for a student to learn to read with comprehension and to write to convey thinking.

This form was designed to provide classroom teams with a way to reflect on their practice and set priorities to focus their efforts to address the conditions in their interactions with students.

This guide includes the steps to use the Establishing the Condition for Success videos with teachers.