EDU 206 - Introduction to Special Education

Offered as needed
Lecture- 3 Lab/Studio- 2
4 credit hrs/5 contact hrs
Prerequisite: EDU 104 - Introduction to Education or ECE 101 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education with “C” or better (2.0 out of a 4.0 scale)
This course will introduce pre-service teachers to strategies to accommodate the needs of exceptional and diverse learners in PK-12 classrooms. Course topics will include a survey of the history of special education including legislation and litigation, as well as the causes of disabilities, the academic and social characteristics of diverse learners, basic assessment and intervention procedures, special education services/programming, the role of the family and community, and accommodating gifted and talented students. Students are expected o conduct 20+ hours of fieldwork coupled with research and discussion of developmentally appropriate learning in Special Education.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Explain the legal, legislative, and historical foundations of special education.
Identify the specific characteristics and unique learning needs of special populations.
Discriminate between the various services, programs and strategies to support the educational, social, and/or personal goals for diverse learners.
Describe appropriate practices based on legal and ethical standards (e.g., due process, procedural safeguards, confidentiality, access to general education, least restrictive environment, transition planning, and free appropriate public education).
Identify the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, teachers and other professionals as they pertain to special populations.
Explain commonalities and differences among special education areas for diagnosis, characteristics, treatment/instructional approaches and post school status.
Demonstrate knowledge of community and agency resources for serving persons with disabilities.
Exhibit, both in the classroom and in the field, an awareness of the ethical and professional responsibilities incumbent on educators.