The basic idea is that students begin in the general education classroom and only move to more specialized settings if they don't succeed in the least restrictive environment (LRE). The steps typically look something like this:
1. General Education Classroom: Students are first served within the regular classroom with appropriate supports and accommodations.
2. Supplementary Aids and Services: If a student struggles, additional support might be added, such as tutoring, specialized instruction, or assistive technology.
3. Resource Room: If supplementary aids are insufficient, the student might spend part of the school day in a resource room for more intensive instruction.
4. Self-Contained Classroom: Students receive instruction primarily in a separate classroom designed for students with similar disabilities.
5. Special Schools or Residential Facilities: In the most restrictive setting, students attend a special school or even a residential facility.
Why the Cascade Model is Outdated:
The cascade model has fallen out of favor for several reasons:
* Focus on Placement, Not Individual Needs: It emphasized *where* a student received services more than *what* services they needed. The focus shifted from individualized needs to a predetermined pathway.
* Inequity and Labeling: It often led to students being unnecessarily labeled and placed in restrictive environments, which could have negative impacts on their self-esteem and social-emotional development. Students from marginalized groups were often disproportionately placed in more restrictive settings.
* Lack of Collaboration: It didn't always prioritize collaboration between general education and special education teachers.
* One-Size-Fits-All Approach: It failed to account for the diverse needs of students with disabilities, treating all students with similar diagnoses as needing the same level of support.
Current Approach:
Modern special education practices focus on:
* Inclusion: Keeping students with disabilities in the general education classroom as much as possible with appropriate supports and accommodations.
* Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): Developing customized plans for each student based on their unique needs and strengths.
* Collaboration: Working closely together with general and special education teachers, parents, and other professionals to create supportive learning environments.
* Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Designing instruction and curriculum to be accessible to all learners from the outset.
While the cascade model might be discussed historically in special education contexts, understanding its limitations is crucial to appreciating the shift toward more inclusive and individualized approaches.