SPED - Special Education
Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.
This course provides a broad overview of the field of special education and the characteristics and needs of children and youth with disabilities. Historical perspectives, legal aspects, the full range of educational exceptionalities, and teaching adaptations are surveyed. Students will examine the nature and needs of students with exceptionalities as well as the educational programming and technology needed to help those students become competent workers and responsible, valued citizens. Collaboration and inclusion are emphasized.
This course is designed to develop knowledge, skills and abilities relative to collaboration and teamwork. The course provides teacher candidates with the information and skills necessary to collaborate and consult with other professionals, families, and support agencies regarding the design and implementation of educational programs for students with and without disabilities.
The underlying premise of this course is that educators need positive collaborative relationships with parents and school professionals in order to achieve many of their goals. These goals may include helping students to succeed in the least restrictive environment, providing continuity across a variety of instructional programs, or preventing unnecessary referrals to special education. The course is designed to help educators to become aware of their basic communication skills, develop partnership-building skills, and use strategies to manage conflicts/resistance, conduct interviews and team meetings, and problem solve. Students will be required to complete 12 hours of classroom observation and attend two team meetings at your assigned schools.
This course focuses on the physical, sensory, communication, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics of students with high incidence disabilities. Characteristics of learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, emotional disabilities, and communication disorders will be covered with specific emphasis on the impact of these characteristics on learning, curriculum, program development, and needed services and support. Students will complete 15 hours of observation in a classroom with students who have high incidence disabilities.
This course will provide a strong foundation for building sound critical-thinking skills based on classic and current empirical-based research byproviding an overview of the best practices for working with persons who have low incidence disabilities. Students will be encouraged to develop their own appreciation for individuals who are the most vulnerable because of their disabilities and demonstrates how to effectively collaborate with educators, families, and professionals in a variety of settings. Students will develop their philosophy for working with persons with low incidence disabilities and the complex issues affecting these individuals' lives. The course provides an overview of low incidence disabilities and appropriate practices for working with persons with low-incidence disabilities, including ethical guidelines for professionals who partner with these diverse individuals Students will complete 15 hours of observation in a classroom with students who have low incidence disabilities.
This course is designed to develop knowledge, skills and abilities relative to collaboration and teamwork. Provides educators with the information and skills necessary to collaborate and consult with other professionals, families, and support agencies regarding the design and implementation of educational programs for students with and without disabilities.
This course provides an introduction to assessment of academic and social-emotional behavior among students in school settings, with a focus on using assessment information to promote academic and social-emotional competence among students with special needs. Students will learn about the use of assessment information within a response-to-intervention/multi-tiered system of support (RTI/MTSS) model. They will learn how to select, administer, interpret, communicate, and use assessment materials in order to promote competence among students with special needs. Class activities will include lecture, discussion of key concepts and practicum experiences, and direct instruction and practice administration of select assessment tools. Students will be assigned to a local classroom where they will practice their developing assessment skills.
Diagnostic-Based Interventions in Literacy Instruction. This course is designed to prepare the classroom teacher to assess children's reading levels and provide instruction for the corrective and remedial reader using appropriate methods. Students are required to complete a clinical experience.
The purpose of this course is to explore and develop skills for effectively teaching students with learning and behavior disorders. The development, implementation, and evaluation of curricula for students with disabilities, through the secondary levels will be covered. The modification of teaching methods and materials appropriate for each of these groups will be emphasized. A 35 hour field experience with students with disabilities is required.
The purpose of this course is to explore and develop skills for effectively teaching students with mild to severe disabilities. Teaching in the special education classroom can present the teacher with unique opportunities, experiences, and challenges. Given that the instruction and management of students with disabilities is so diverse, the pre-service special education teacher must have experiences that will prepare that teacher to be successful not only in the regular education classroom, but also in the special education classroom. A 90 hour field experience administering the duties of a special education teacher is required.
Independent study is open to junior and senior students only. At the time of application, a student must have earned a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. A student may register for no more than three (3) semester hours of independent study in any one term. In all cases, registration for independent study must be approved by the appropriate department chairperson and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.