• Understanding Special Student Populations: Educational Impact and Strategies for Success
Challenge
Initial Thoughts
Perspectives & Resources

How do differences in students’ backgrounds and characteristics affect their academic performance?

What should teachers understand to facilitate success for all students?

Resources

Wrap Up
Assessment

Understanding Special Student Populations: Educational Impact and Strategies for Success

This module offers a broad overview of how different student characteristics (i.e., culture, language, exceptionality, and socioeconomic status) affect learning and how teachers can better meet the needs of all students in their classes (est. completion time: 2 hours).

Earn the Professional Development Certificate for this module.
Note: The content, data, and research findings for this module were recently updated. Although the intent of the Assessment questions are the same, some questions were slightly rephrased and answers could reflect broader content. We greatly apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We hope this updated content will provide more relevant information to improve learner outcomes.

Work through the sections of this module in the order presented in the STAR graphic above.

Related to this module

Module Outline. A summary of the module’s main content and media elements.

Navigating an IRIS STAR Legacy Module. A video tutorial on finding your way around a module.

IRIS & Adult Learning Theory. In-depth information about the adult learning theory on which our modules are based.

Wraparound Resources. Supporting materials to supplement information in this module.

Copyright 2025 Vanderbilt University. All rights reserved.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Begin