EDUC 502 FOUNDATIONS IN URBAN AND MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
This course equips teachers with a sound knowledge base in multicultural education. It provides both definition and rationale. Through readings, class discussions, blackboard participation and written assignments students will explore and analyze the impact that such issues as equity, ethnicity, sociocultural and linguistic background, ability, gender and race have on student learning. Students will develop perspectives on diversity and a frame of reference for providing equitable opportunities for all students to learn and succeed in schools and society. While this course focuses more on developing dispositions and understandings needed to effectively work with diverse populations, applications to the classroom will be made when appropriate. By the conclusion of the course students will be able to articulate a personal philosophy of multicultural education that demonstrates a thoughtful consideration of the historical and social development of this field (3 credits).
EDUC 506 LANGUAGE, COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY
This course examines cognitive development and language acquisition across cultures. Through the supplemental use of various technologies the course focuses on issues of bilingualism and dialectal difference and their relationship to language development. The course explores language diversity as it relates to classroom instruction (3 credits).
EDUC 729 TEACHING ACROSS THE CONTENT AREAS: PEDAGOGY IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
This course introduces teacher education candidates to the strategies and techniques of how to effectively teach subject content in math and science to diverse student populations. The goal of the course is to equip teacher education candidates with the skills and knowledge to help adolescents with disabilities achieve their intellectual and vocational “potential” (3 credits).
EDUC 728 TEACHING ACROSS THE CONTENT AREAS: PEDAGOGY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND SOCIAL STUDIES
This course introduces teacher education candidates to the strategies and techniques of how to effectively teach subject content in ELA and social studies to diverse student populations. The goal of the course is to equip teacher education candidates with the skills and knowledge to help adolescents with disabilities achieve their intellectual and vocational “potential” (3 credits).
EDUC 602 RESEARCH FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS
This course introduces strategies for designing and conducting single-subject research in special education. Competencies include coverage of independent and dependent variables for research, measurement tactics, experimental design (including data analysis), graphical presentation and evaluation of results, ethical care pertaining to human subjects, establishing generality of results, and ensuring the integrity of research procedures. The methods discussed are not specific to any disability or age level; rather, they are a general set of methods for conducting and interpreting single-subject research. This course has two basic goals: To expose students to the principles of basic behavior analytic research methodology and to have students plan and design a research proposal. Emphasis is placed on the role of research for the teacher of students with developmental disabilities. It is expected that candidates striving to be professionals in the special education field will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to distinguish between legitimate claims of intervention efficacy and to draw conclusions of research findings in accordance with the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. (3 credits)
EDUC 527 CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
This course provides candidates with strategies based on behavior analysis and other psycho-educational learning theories/models and as they relate to managing measurably effective classrooms. Emphasis is on the elements of effective instructional planning (i.e., antecedents and consequences of student behavior) that prevent management problems, condition intrinsic motivation to learn, and foster social competence of all students in the inclusive classroom. The foundational knowledge base of the definition, concepts, and principles of ABA for improving students’ academic, emotional, behavioral, and social skills will be addressed. In addition, coverage will include the philosophical assumptions and dimensions of research-based models. Candidates will learn how to differentiate evidence-based from non-evidence-based behavior management practices. (3 credits)
EDUC 760 STUDENT TEACHING SPECIAL EDUCATION
Students teach for one semester under the supervision and mentorship of cooperating teachers and teacher education faculty. Placements are in special education settings. Faculty observes and confers with student teachers individually. In addition, students and faculty meet each week in a coordinating seminar to review field experiences, synthesize current practice with prior learning and to prepare for employment and further professional study. (3 credits)
* Prospective student teachers plan for field placements during the registration period prior to student teaching.
EDUC 714 PRACTICUM IN ASSESSMENT AND INSTRUCTION OF SPECIAL LEARNERS
This course is designed to provide candidates with information on standardized and informal assessment procedures and materials and on research-based effective strategies for teaching students with mild to moderate learning and behavior problems. Emphasis is on assessment in literacy and mathematics and appropriate use of instructional technologies including assistive technology. Focus will also be on those strategies of differentiated instruction that can be effectively implemented or modified within the general education program. Candidates will learn a variety of methods for the identification and assessment of academic and social-behavioral problems; behavioral assessment; analysis of the outcomes of instruction/interventions; descriptive, preference and skill assessments; including the use of practical behaviorally-based assessment tools such as checklists, rating scales, structured observation tools, and curricular behavioral assessments (e.g., criterion-referenced assessment) (3 credits).
EDUC 716 LIFE SPAN SPECIAL EDUCATION: TRANSITION FROM BIRTH TO ADULTHOOD
This course prepares teacher candidates to select behavior analytic intervention strategies and plan for their possible unwanted behavior change effects in order to help maximize human development from birth to adulthood. Candidates will learn how to select and implement individualized behavioral and curricular intervention strategies and behavior-change systems in order to teach, maintain, and generalize skills across home, school, and community settings via organizational behavior management (OBM). Emphasis will be placed on how students develop and learn by examining the process of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, language, and career development among students who vary by gender, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic level, English proficiency, and diverse levels of ability. Issues covered include the educator’s role on how to develop curriculum as well as support and maintain group change that is developmentally appropriate and culturally meaningful to facilitate successful transition from pre-school to post-school activities; including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), independent living, and/or community participation (as described by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services May 2017 document entitled “A Transition Guide To Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities).” (3 credits)
EDUC 628 ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION OF LITERACY DISABILITIES
This course is a study of assessment procedures, prescriptive measures and best corrective practices as applied to teaching the reading disabled student in elementary through high school (depending upon student’s area of certification). Tutorial field experience is required in remedial or inclusive settings. (3 credits)
* The course consists of three lecture hours and related field experience—16 hours/semester.