Artifact 1

Cheryl Hoskinson
ED 251 Overview of the Exceptional Learner
December 8, 2015

Peer Buddy Program

The benefits of a Peer buddy program should be considered a win-win
situation for all that are involved in the program. First of all, what does it
mean to be a Peer buddy? Next who benefits from the program when it has
been implemented, and finally, what is the best way to utilize the program?
What does it mean to be a Peer buddy? It allows students to work
together in a main stream classroom. Whether they have a disability or not.
Having a Peer buddy allows students with disabilities more access to the
general curriculum, and all the other activities a typical high school student
would participate such as extracurricular activities. Plus, being a Peer
buddy encourages positive social interactions, and relationships to develop
between both disabled and non-disabled students.
Peer buddy programs pair students with and without disabilities who
are able to work together on the basis of their own unique strengths.
Formerly, Peer buddies use to be referred to as Peer tutors, but there is
more involved with Peer buddies. A relationship has a Peer buddy is
considered equal partnership of growth and learning rather than one of

student and tutor. Its because of this focus on relationship that Peer buddy
programs have such great potential for encouraging social learning on the
part of both students with disabilities and without.
In the program, students without disabilities will learn about the
history of discrimination against people with disabilities and their journey to
be allowed to be taught in the mainstream classroom. The student without
the disability will also learn the best way to advocate for the student who
has the disability, and help their assigned buddy prepare for the future. Peer
buddies can also assist the students they support to develop their goals,
monitor their own progress, and reach their intended outcomes under the
guidance of their teachers. The day-to-day activity of the Peer buddy can
change depending upon the kinds of learning activities that have been
planned. Together Peer buddies (students with or without disabilities) can
work on their lessons in general education classes, go on community based
instruction such as field trips to museums, do service learning activities
together, participate in extracurricular activities, or eat lunch together.
Every day will prove to be different, and hopefully, will be an opportunity to
learn all that they have to offer each other.
Peer are paired with students with disabilities in the classroom, and
serve as buddies who are mainly there to provide support with school
work (working in small groups, responding to questions, summarizing key
concepts and vocabulary), offer advice, and just be a friend. The Peer buddy
is usually a student who is interested in providing support, who understands

the requirements of the classroom, is comfortable with the subject matter

being taught, and would like to bring the student with a disability into their
group of friends.
The benefits of Peer Buddy program are valuable for all students
involved with the program. The biggest benefit gained from the Peer Buddy
Programs are the building of friendships and relationships, development of
social skills, positive academic outcomes for both students with or without
disabilities, and developing a more positive outlook on life.
The main thing to remember is that Peer buddies are friends, role
models, guides, and above all Peers. They are not teachers, disciplinary
figures, instructional assistants, behavior modifiers, or supervisors.
In conclusion, if done right Peer Buddies can be a win-win situation
for everyone involved in the program. For the student with no disability it
helps them learn to interact with children they may not have interacted with
before, develop an awareness and respect for diversity, thus developing
socially, and emotionally, develop a deeper understanding of the task or
activity as the help clarify ideas and rules to their buddy, and learn positive
skills from their buddy, learn to see things from a different perspective, or
learn the value of some things that they have previously taken for granted.
In turn, the person with the disability learns to see social and academic
skills being modeled, have things explained in child or their language, get
more one-on-one support than adults can provide in a busy school

environment, and finally become more independent, connected and

confident. Therefore, it is definitely a win-win situation.