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Professional Practice in Special Education


Course Description

Topics are related to legal requirements, service-provision, and instruction in the field of special education. There is an emphasis on the landmark legal precedents that have shaped special education law. School-based practices and policies that are driven by such laws, such as determining eligibility and placement, developing Individualized Education Plans, and planning for transition services are also explored.


Athena Title

Prof Practice in Special Ed


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in EDSE 3040, EDSE 6040E


Non-Traditional Format

This course will be taught 95% or more online.


Prerequisite

Permission of major


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student Learning Outcomes

  • Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify and describe specific components of the IEP and develop an IEP (authentic or mock) for a student with a high-incidence disability.
  • Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe approaches to transition planning and develop an Individual Transition Plan (authentic or mock) for a student with a high-incidence disability.
  • Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify and explain current professional issues in the field of special education and describe multiple perspectives on those issues.

Topical Outline

  • Major litigation and its relationship to legislation in special education law and procedures
  • Disability identification and rules for eligibility for special education services
  • All components of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) (eg; impact statements, present levels of academic and functional performance, implementation of accommodations and modifications,, etc).
  • Best practices in transition services and the development of the Individualized Transition Plan (ITP)
  • Inter and cross agency collaboration to support the education and transition services of students with disabilities
  • Professional issues and challenges in the field of special education

Syllabus