Expanded Core Curriculum
Parent Tip Sheet
What is the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)?
The Expanded Core Curriculum is a disability-specific curriculum for children with vision impairments. It covers nine desgnated areas that children with vision impairments miss because of their vision loss. Expanded Core is not a replacement to academic curriculum. It is not a functional curriculum.
The teacher for students with vision impairments provides guidance and instruction in Expanded Core areas. Related service providers, paraprofessionals, special and general education teachers also help support Expanded Core instruction. Expanded Core instruction is provided at school, home and the community.
Expanded Core instruction is for students of all abilities and vision impairments. The Expanded Core is taught differently than core curriculum. Many of the 9 areas of the Expanded Core can be included in lessons. Expanded Core is part of the National Agenda for children with vision impairments. It is a federally recognized curriculum for children.
Source: Robbin Clark, Director for ECC at the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind
Nine Areas of the ECC
Compensatory Access
Critical skills that students need to be successful in school, such as concept development, organizational skills, speaking and listening, and communication skills such as braille or print reading and writing.
Sensory Efficiency
Skills that help students use the senses, including any functional vision, hearing, touch, smell (olfactory) and taste (gustatory).
-using optical aids
-using augmentative and alternative communication devices
-using touch and vision to identify personal items
-using sense of smell to know when nearing the school cafeteria
Assistive Technnology
Skills to use devices such as computers or other electronic equipment that make it easier to function effectively in school, at home, and in the workplace.
Orientation and Mobility
Skills to orient children who are visually impaired to their surroundings and travel skills to enable them to move independently and safely in the environment, such as:
-human guide technique (also known as sighted guide)
-using standard and adaptive canes
-recognizing cues and landmarks
-moving through space by walking or using a wheelchair
-requesting assistance
Independent Living
Skills needed to respond appropriately and participate actively in social situations, such as:
-shaking hands
-turning toward others when speaking or being spoken to
-using language to make a request, decline assistance, or express a need
-expressing emotion and affection appropriately
-participating appropriately in conversation in various situations
Social Interaction
Skills needed to respond appropriately and participate actively in social situations, such as:
-shaking hands
-turning toward others when speaking or being spoken to
-using language to make a request, decline assistance, or express a need
-expressing emotion and affection appropriately
-participating appropriately in conversation in various situations
Recreation and Leisure
Skills to ensure students' enjoyment of physical and leisure-time activities, including:
-making choices about how to spend leisure time
-actively participating in physical and social recreational activities
-trying new leisure activities
-following rules in games and activities at an appropriate level
-maintaining safety during leisure activities
Career Education
Skills that enable students who are visually impaired to move toward working as an adult, including:
-exploring and expressing preferences about work roles
-assuming work responsibilities at home and school
-understanding concepts of reward for work
-participating in job experiences
-learning about jobs and adult work roles at a developmentally appropriate level
Self-Determination
Skills that enable students to become effective advocates for themselves based on their own needs and goals.
Credits
What is the ECC? Robbin Clark, Director for ECC at the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind
Definition of Nine Areas: Family Connect Website
North Carolina Early Learning Sensory Support Program for Children with Visual Impairments
Office of Early Learning
Email: bethany.mayo@dpi.nc.gov
Website: earlylearning.nc.gov
Location: 6371 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: (919) 733-0533