Course Syllabus

SPED 2010 Introduction to Special Education

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce prospective elementary and secondary teachers with an overview of the historical, philosophical, psychological, and cultural forces that affect education. Participants will understand the nature of learning for those considered at-risk to those who may be gifted. An overview of the current trends and issues that face the general education teachers in terms of identification, referral and teacher of students who may have learning differences will be presented. The continuum of special education services will be discussed. The participants will be aware of a variety of exceptionalities, specific strategies and adaptations that might be employed to assist in teaching student with learning problems.

Justification

This course will give students considering a career in Special Education a good overall look at what it is like to work with this type of student. The student, after taking this course should be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not they would like to pursue this avenue of the Education field. This course is also a requirement for education degrees in the State of Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the timeline of Special Education history up to the present.
2. Describe the subtypes and characteristics of students with behavior, learning, and intellectual disabilities.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the IEP with its various components including, short- and long-term goals, services, and placement.
4. Describe a variety of effective management procedures including modifications to the environment.
5. Recognize and articulate the roles and responsibilities of the paraeducator related to instruction, intervention, and direct service.
6. Discuss the rights to privacy, confidentiality, and respect for differences among all persons with disabilities including medical and academic records.
7. Describe effective service delivery systems for students with mild and moderate disabilities at the elementary and secondary levels.
8. Identify effective instructional procedures that facilitate prevention and intervention strategies for use with students with mild and moderate disabilities.

Course Content

Conceptual topics covered in the course may include but are not limited to the following:- History of Special Education in the United States K-12 education system.- Laws governing Special Education in the K-12 system, today and in the past.- How Special Education has changed over the course of time.- The Roles of Special Education teachers as well as General Education teachers in working with students with disabilities in their classrooms.- Understanding Stereotypes and Biases and the impact it can have on those effected.- Understanding the concept of Response to Intervention.- The Special Education referral process.- Understanding the Individual Education Plan (IEP).- Classroom Management strategies.- Understanding of each of the 13 special education classifications.- Appropriate accommodations and adjustments necessary to help students in the classroom for each of the 13 classifications.- Understanding the impact, the Brain has on learning in general and those with disabilities specifically.