what is funtional academic skills? academic skills? what is the difference?

Answer 1

When a student is getting special education services, they are entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Specific goals and objectives are determined for that particular student, and a plan is developed to help the student achieve those goals. When we do an IEP for a student who doesn't have the academic skills to achieve goals that others of their age would achieve in general (regular) education, we develop goals in functional academic skills. So instead of having the student read in the reading text and complete the corresponding workbook section, we might instead have the student identify words they will encounter in the community, such as Bus Stop, Men, Women, Open, Exit, etc. Instead of having the special education student do long division, we might have them select the coins they will need as bus fare. The purpose of developing functional academic skills is to enable students with disabilities to learn the skills they will need in order to function in their community. There is still academic material covered, but the objective of teaching them is to enable the student to become as independent as possible, rather than meeting the requirements to earn a diploma.

Answer 2

"Functional" academic skills mean skills that apply or help a student with daily living; in other words skills that will apply to everyday life. Academic skills are usually harder, for example, they may mean taking algebra or chemistry courses instead of taking math classes that teach you how to balance your check book, read & follow recipe directions, follow instructions on how to assemble a swingset, etc. Functional skills are usually for students who are seeking a special diploma or non-standard diploma and may not be able to handle the rigors of harder academic classes or the standardized tests that may be required to get a standard high school diploma.

Answer 3

Define functional. Then you will know. Look it up in your Funk & Wagnall