M.Ed. Special Education

This course emphasizes awareness, knowledge of Special Education terms, collaboration and consultation, and empathy for exceptional and culturally diverse children; it provides an overview of the history, introduction to current theory, research, ethical practice and inclusive practices in special education. An overview of exceptional learner characteristics will be explored with an emphasis on understanding and teaching students with special needs within common structures found in schools today focused on student needs being served in an inclusive setting. This course will include 5 hours of direct contact with children with disabilities and 5 hours of observation.

This course provides the candidate with the latest information on the statuses, regulations, policy guidance, and cases on special education law, as well as the most current information on: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Rtl—Response to Intervention, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This course will also cover Nebraska Rule 51.

This course explores methods of effective and efficient teaching strategies that promote optimal learning for struggling students including Universal Design for Learning. Candidates will learn how to optimize student learning, select critical content and break complex tasks into obtainable pieces for all students within an inclusive setting. Additional focus will be placed on monitoring accuracy of student responses and adjusting a lesson based on student performance. Throughout this course, candidates will have multiple opportunities to evaluate how explicit instruction (effective and efficient teaching strategies) can align with their current K-12 classroom and discover occasions for application. This course will include 5 hours of direct contact with children with disabilities and 5 hours of observation.