This course is designed to enable teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors PK-12 to effectively support students who may have challenges with executive functioning. Supporting all P-12 students' academic growth and achievement effectively depends on appropriate educational strategies related to executive functions. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of student executive function strengths and challenges. Through interactive discussions, reading current research, and reflective practice, participants will increase their understanding of effective interventions, strategies to strengthen student deficiencies in executive functioning, and ways to help students further hone existing executive function skills. Multicultural factors, diverse learning challenges, and educational settings PK – 12 will be explored.

This course meets for a total of 37 1⁄2 instructional contact hours with a minimum of 20 hours focusing on instruction, best practices, and current research with regard to strategies for effective inclusive practice for students with disabilities/diverse learning needs.

Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Guiding Principle 10

Social and emotional learning can increase academic achievement, improve attitudes and behaviors, and reduce emotional distress. Students should practice recognizing aspects of themselves in texts (self- awareness), struggling productively with challenging texts (self-management), tailoring language to audience and purpose (social awareness), grappling vicariously with choices faced by others (responsible decision making), and collaborating respectfully with diverse peers (relationship skills). p. 16