Course Descriptions (ADD-SPED)

Language development through school years, its relationship to literacy, and general education literacy curriculum.

SPED 519
Principles of Special Education
(3 credits)

Introduction to special education law and process, professional ethics, theories of learning and educational reform's impact on students with disabilities.

Students develop a comprehensive, longitudinal plan for evaluating the functional living skills of persons with moderate and severe disabilities.

Functional curriculum and instruction (overview of social, daily living, and work skills) communication systems and issues of instruction for students with sensory impairments.

Introductory course in basic behavior management skills including identification and specification of behavior problems, implementation of behavior change, methods and data collection procedures.

Information on medical and physical needs commonly found with people with severe disabilities, and educational and adult service implications.

Family issues in early childhood special education, Individual Family Service Plans, laws and legal precedents related to ECE/elementary and interagency techniques and community resources.

Practices and techniques for collaborating with general educators, related services staff, and administration in order to facilitate the successful participation of students in the general education program.

Curriculum and methods for teaching reading and language arts skills to students with special needs.

Curriculum and methods for teaching math to students with special needs.

Field experience working with children and youth in public school or agency settings under the supervision of licensed special educators. Required weekly seminar for all students enrolled in STE.

Examination and application of diagnostic and assessment instruments used to appraise exceptional students in grades K-12.

Performance-based assessment, curriculum-based measurement, and other classroom-based assessment tools; using assessment data for instructional planning and monitoring IEP goals.