20809217Introduction to Special Education
Course Information
Description
This course provides an introduction to the terminology, identification, and issues commonly encountered when addressing the needs of diverse students with disabilities. Emphasis will be placed on inclusion, diversity issues, federal and state legislative mandates pertinent to nondiscriminatory assessments, parental involvement, individualized education programs; and professional practice and foundations in special education. The course addresses the collaborative roles of a multidisciplinary approach to supporting children and youth with disabilities in a diverse society.
Total Credits
3
Prior Learning Assessment
  • Transfer Credit (includes Certifications)
Course Competencies
  1. Examine the major components of an IEP/IFSP and their processes, as well as the roles of students, families and professionals on the team
    Assessment Strategies
    Written essay, reflection and/or group discussions
    Criteria
    Define IEP/IFSP in the context of K12 educational settings
    Identify the major components of an IEP/IFSP
    Discuss the roles of students, families, and professionals in the IEP/IFSP
    Describe the relationship between students, families, and professionals on the IEP/IFSP team

  2. Evaluate current legislation pertaining to students with disabilities and their families, as well as ethical standards related to professional practices in the field
    Assessment Strategies
    Written essay, reflection and/or group discussions
    Criteria
    Identify current legislation pertaining to students with disabilities and their families
    Evaluate the impact of legislation on schools, students and families
    Describe ethical standards related to professional practices

  3. Discuss significant philosophical and historical aspects of special education, as well as emerging issues, practices and research in the field
    Assessment Strategies
    Written essay, reflection and/or group discussions
    Criteria
    Identify philosophical questions about special education
    Describe historical aspects of special education
    Discuss emerging issues in special education
    Examine best practices
    Report on current research in the field

  4. Demonstrate awareness of similarities and differences of students with and without disabilities, and the teaching implications of diversity, including culture, language, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, and lifestyle orientation factors
    Assessment Strategies
    Written essay, reflection and/or group discussions
    Criteria
    Describe the similarities and differences of students with and without disabilities
    Examine the teaching implications of diversity within Special Education
    Discuss the impact of culture, language, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, and lifestyle orientation factors

  5. Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of disabilities including etiologies, characteristics, specialized physical health care procedures and regulations related to such care, educational and social impact, educational approaches and available resources
    Assessment Strategies
    Written report or essay
    Criteria
    Identify the variety of disabilities
    Categorize etiologies, characteristics, and specialized health care procedures
    Describe regulations related specialized health care procedures
    Discuss the educational and social impact
    Distinguish educational approaches
    Identify available resources

  6. Describe effective communication strategies with parents from diverse backgrounds and professionals from other disciplines and community useful for those working with exceptional students
    Assessment Strategies
    Participation in class and group discussions
    Participation in group presentation
    Criteria
    Identify effective communication strategies when working with parents from diverse backgrounds
    Describe professionals from other disciplines who are useful for those working with exceptional students
    Describe professionals from other communities who are useful for those working with exceptional students
    Contribute to creation of group presentation on educational issue
    Present with your group to inform the class on your group’s educational issue, you convey the important aspects, and summarize the important points

  7. Analyze the concepts of Universal Design for Learning in inclusive classrooms
    Assessment Strategies
    Written essay, reflection and/or group discussions
    Criteria
    Analyze the components of Universal Design
    Identify the concepts of Universal Design
    Submit a one-page summary including the information above