M.Ed. Certificate Exceptional Learners B-3rd Certificate

This course emphasizes the use of instructional strategies to meet the needs of all learners including the culturally diverse, gifted, at-risk, second language learner, and those with special needs at all education levels. Its non-categorical approach helps teachers ensure all students’ success regardless of their specific categories of exceptionality. The course integrates today’s expectations for students with a strong commitment to inclusive practices, tempered to the realities of day-to-day teaching. The text provides teachers with a firm grounding in special education practices, an understanding of the professionals who support these students and the procedures followed to ensure their rights are upheld, and a wealth of research-based strategies and interventions that can foster their success. This course will provide teachers information about the individual needs of all learners, and practice in identifying those needs. It will also provide opportunities to begin creating differentiated instructional strategies to meet the needs of all learners. This course will include 5 hours of direct contact with children with disabilities and 5 hours of observation.

This course focuses on effective approaches to working with students who have cognitive, autistic, or other moderate disabilities. The purpose of this course is to provide knowledge and understanding of how students with special needs are provided educational opportunities in today’s elementary and secondary schools. The course will differentiate characteristics of various disabilities, distinguish collaborative teaching practices, and identify instructional strategies (e.g., modifications specified in the IEP), for successful inclusion of students with disabilities in school communities. The content of this course reflects the depth of knowledge and skill required of effective teachers of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other low incidence disabilities. This course will include 5 hours of direct contact with children with disabilities and 5 hours of observation.

This course provides an overview of the characteristics in young children with disabilities and how services under federal and state regulations/statutes are determined. Family systems, parent/family advocacy, and the influence of cultural perspectives on the education of young children with disabilities will be covered in this course. Best practice models for inclusive classroom (general education settings) learning are presented. Models of Co-teaching will be provided and explored. Team models and planning for instruction are discussed. Professional and ethical practices related to the legal, historical, and social foundations for early childhood special education are included in this course. This course will include 10 hours of direct contact with children with disabilities and 10 hours of observation.