Specially Designed Instruction is a term from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the law that outlines the requirements for providing services for students who are eligible for special education.  When a team is making a determination for a student’s eligibility under one of the disability categories, one requirement is whether the student needs specially designed instruction.   A few key points:

(1) The goal is for the student who is eligible for special education to be able to access the curriculum and meet the educational standards,

(2) In order to do that, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) is required.

(3) The SDI must meet the student’s unique needs.

(4) SDI can be accomplished by adapting the content, methodology or delivery of instruction

As defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):

(3) Specially designed instruction means adapting, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child under this part, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction--

(i) To address the unique needs of the child that result from the child's disability; and

(ii) To ensure access of the child to the general curriculum, so that the child can meet the educational standards within the jurisdiction of the public agency that apply to all children.

IDEA Sec. 300.39