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• Special Education

Graduate Special Education

2024 Summer Term

Class Schedule

EDUCATIONAL-DIAGNOSIS AND ASSESSMENT IN LD, E/BD, ID

SPECED 662

A course to develop advanced diagnostic skills for elementary through secondary students with mild/ moderate disabilities (LD, EBD, ID). Particular emphasis is placed upon the assessment of cognitive, academic, developmental and behavioral skills that affect classroom performance. The application of advanced trend analysis and data synthesis techniques for special education placement and program planning is stressed and current issues and trends are discussed.

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TRANSITION ASSESSMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

SPECED 706

This course examines specific vocational assessment strategies using an ecological approach to in-school data collection. Assessment of occupational interests, aptitude, and learning styles in relationship to IEP development, placement within specific occupational clusters, and successful transition to post-secondary training and/or employment environments is presented.

Class Schedule

FOUNDATIONS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

SPECED 707

The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth graduate level introduction to the foundations of autism spectrum disorder. This course includes an overview of autism spectrum disorder, including discussion of diagnostic issues, philosophical issues, research on the biological and psychosocial bases of the disorders, as well as an overview of intervention techniques and legal issues. The basic principles of behavioral analysis are covered.

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METHODS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

SPECED 708

This course provides students with methods of instructing children with autism spectrum disorders. The focus will be on developing functional skills based upon individual children's needs. Methods of instruction will include applied behavior analysis, sensory integration, TEACCH, and functional and ecological assessment procedures.

Class Schedule

ETHICS IN RESEARCH AND APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

SPECED 711

This course is designed to meet professional standards involving ethics, as outlined by the Fourth Edition Task List of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. This course has been developed for prospective therapists, researchers, and educators who are seeking certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Class Schedule

PHILOSOPHY OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

SPECED 712

This course will explore the philosophical underpinnings of applied behavior analysis (ABA) as well as understand the dimensions of ABA as a science. Students will learn to distinguish between behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by applied behavior analysis.

Class Schedule

SUPERVISION OF PROGRAMS AND PERSONNEL IN ABA

SPECED 715

This course is focused on learning how to implement evidence-based supervision practices. Students will learn how to train, support, monitor, and give feedback to supervisees. Practices for creating and maintaining healthy work environments will be explored. Students will also learn how to manage behavior programs and make decisions about necessary changes.

Class Schedule

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING

SPECED 720

The purpose of this course is to provide PK-12 teachers with specific strategies for supporting students¿ and their own social/emotional well-being in the classroom. Emphasis will be on classwide strategies for promoting social/emotional development, creating, building skills, and managing behavior. Some specific Tier 2 interventions will also be covered, as well as strategies for teachers to maintain their own wellness.

Class Schedule

FACILITATING SYSTEMS CHANGE FOR TRAUMA SENSITIVE SCHOOLS

SPECED 732

This course provides participants with information to understand the prevalence and impact of toxic stress on K-12 students and the educators who support them. Participants will learn how to infuse the values of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment into various aspects of their districts¿ existing equitable multi-level system of support.

Class Schedule

SCIENCE OF READING I: PHONICS, LINGUISTICS, & INTERVENTIONS

SPECED 752

The course addresses phonemic awareness, phonics, advanced word reading, and reading fluency for students who struggle to read, have a learning disability, or have dyslexia. Through use of research validated strategies in phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and spelling, the processes and skills children and adolescents use to read fluently are examined as well as similarities and differences in reading instruction for students with LD and dyslexia and typical readers. The difficulties encountered by students with dyslexia and language and learning differences are reviewed and best practices in teaching phonemic awareness, decoding/phonics, and spelling are emphasized through discussion, modelling, and demonstrating.

Class Schedule

SCIENCE OF READING II: VOCABULARY, COMPREHENSION, & WRITING INST

SPECED 754

This course addresses reading and writing instruction across the curriculum and interventions for students for students who struggle to read, have a learning disability, or have dyslexia. The processes and skills children and adolescents engage in to develop reading/writing vocabulary, comprehend text, and compose quality written work are examined. Specifically, the difficulties encountered by students with language and learning disabilities and dyslexia are reviewed and evidence-based practices for teaching fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing as tools for literacy development are emphasized. Student will develop methodology and strategies for teaching reading/writing vocabulary, reading comprehension and fluency, and writing process/products.

Class Schedule

ASSESSMENT OF DYSLEXIA AND LANGUAGE BASED LEARNING DISABILITIES

SPECED 764

This course is designed to meet professional standards (i.e., IDA, CEDS/CEC) for educational personnel in the area of assessment for dyslexia and reading based learning disabilities. Participants will learn how to administer formal and informal assessment to identify dyslexia and LBLD and plan instruction including screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring measures. A variety of informal reading assessments, standardized achievement tests, and standardized dyslexia assessments will be learned and administered. Additional skills learned include interpreting assessment data, making instructional and intervention recommendations, and writing assessment reports.

Class Schedule

PLURALISTIC RELATIONSHIPS: FAMILY, SCHOOL, & COMMUNITY AGENCY

SPECED 766

This course provides students with theory, general principles, and procedures for fostering collaborative partnerships among families, professionals, students, and other stakeholders that lead to outcomes of individual and mutual empowerment in a pluralistic society. Students will gain knowledge of interpersonal and collaborative skills that support partnerships between parents and school/community professionals as well as between school professionals and other community service providers including conflict resolution. Collaborative partnerships for planning transition from early childhood through adulthood are explored. Information concerning national, state, and local resources for families of children with disabilities will be provided and integrated into class activities.

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CURRICULUM AND METHODS FOR LOW INCIDENCE DISABILITIES

SPECED 776

This course focuses on meeting the educational needs of students requiring a functional intensive special education program. Methods of instruction will include strategies to promote general curriculum access for individual with significant and multiple disabilities; addressing the unique learning and support needs required to educate students with low incidence disabilities.

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SCHOOL-TO-ADULT LIFE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMMING

SPECED 781

This course will examine direct and indirect instructional support strategies which facilitate successful vocational programming of individuals with exceptional educational needs within secondary and post-secondary environments. The Designated Vocational Instructor model and transition methods are emphasized.

Class Schedule

INDIVIDUAL STUDIES

SPECED 798

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member.