Specially Designed Instruction

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Why it works

Specially designed instruction (SDI) is the heart of special education under IDEA: it is instruction deliberately adapted, in content, methodology, or delivery, to address a student's disability-related needs and ensure access to the general curriculum. SDI is distinct from accommodations (which change how a student accesses or demonstrates learning without changing the instruction or expectations) and from simply placing a student in a different setting; it is the specialized, individualized teaching itself, based on the student's needs and goals. Understanding SDI matters because it clarifies that special education is defined by this specialized instruction, not paperwork or location, and because effective SDI, targeted, individualized, evidence-based teaching, is what actually moves students with disabilities forward. Both special and general educators benefit from understanding what SDI is and how to deliver it.

The research: IDEA; research on specially designed instruction.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

The core activity: understand and deliver specially designed instruction

Teachers leave clearer on what SDI is and how to deliver it.

Understand that SDI is instruction adapted in content, method, or delivery to meet a student's needs.
Distinguish it from accommodations (which don't change the instruction).
Connect SDI to the student's specific needs and goals.
Recognize that effective, individualized SDI is what moves students forward.

Special education IS specially designed instructionSDI, teaching adapted in content, method, or delivery to meet a student's needs, is the heart of special education, distinct from accommodations or setting. Understand and deliver it well.

Facilitator notes

SDI is adapted content, method, or delivery, and differs from accommodations.
Base it on needs and goals.
Effective SDI drives progress.

Mistaking special education for just accommodations or a setting misses SDISpecial education is defined by specially designed instruction, not accommodations or location. Understand and deliver SDI, individualized and adapted, to move students forward.

Adapt it

General educators: understand SDI, collaborate.
Special educators: design and deliver SDI.
All settings: understand SDI, base it on needs.

Participant handout

One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

K12 Academics · Professional Learning

Specially Designed Instruction: the heart of special ed

Adapted instruction: content, method, or delivery changed to meet needs, distinct from accommodations, driving progress.

What specially designed instruction is (adapted content, method, or delivery):
How it differs from accommodations:
How I connect SDI to specific student needs and goals:
Why effective SDI drives progress:
An SDI need to clarify with the team:

Make it stick

The heart of special ed:

Understand and deliver SDI.
Base it on needs.
Bring an SDI question to the team.

Common questions

What is specially designed instruction?

Teaching deliberately adapted in content, methodology, or delivery to meet a student's disability-related needs, the specialized, individualized instruction at the heart of special education. It is what makes special education special.

How is SDI different from accommodations?

Accommodations change how a student accesses or shows learning without changing the instruction or expectations. SDI changes the instruction itself, adapted content, method, or delivery, based on the student's needs. They work together but are different.

Why does understanding SDI matter?

Because special education is defined by this specialized instruction, not paperwork or setting, and effective SDI is what actually moves students with disabilities forward. Both special and general educators benefit from understanding it.