EDSP - Special Education

This course provides a broad introduction to the field of special education. Developmental stages and characteristics of exceptional children and youth are explored along with the philosophical, historical, ethical, and legal foundations of special education. Special education terminology and acronyms are introduced along with Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP), Individual Education Plans (IEP), Individual Transition Plans (ITP), and Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings.

This course is a study of the characteristics and factors affecting individuals with low incidence disabilities such as visual and hearing impairment, significant developmental delay, medically fragile, autism, and multiply challenged. The course teaches effective educational and behavioral approaches. Field experience is required.

This course is a survey of the characteristics, etiology, psychology, sociological, and educational implications of mentally challenged individuals from birth through adulthood. Medical aspects, parental concerns, life skills, adaptive behavior, normalization, self-determination, needed supports, and transition programs are explored. Field experience is required.

This course is a study of the causes and characteristics of emotional and behavioral disorders in students from early childhood through adolescence. Classroom and behavior management strategies for maintaining a positive learning environment are considered along with strategies for preparing individuals to live cooperatively and productively in society, social skills needed for educational and functional living environments, and strategies for crisis prevention and intervention. Field experience is required.

This course provides students with hands-on experiences working with individuals and groups in specific areas of disability.

A course designed for junior and senior level students. The course will consist of a wide variety of topics based on the specific needs or aspirations of the individual students. This course may be repeated for credit. Independent learning is designed to provide an opportunity for development of proficiency in specific areas under the direct supervision of the professor. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chairperson and director of special education.

May be scheduled as a service course designed to permit the offering of topics of current interest and special workshops. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chairperson.

A course designed for junior and senior level students. The course will consist of a wide variety of topics based on the specific needs or aspirations of the individual students. This course may be repeated for credit. Independent learning is designed to provide an opportunity for development of proficiency in specific areas under the direct supervision of the professor. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chairperson and director of special education.

May be scheduled as a service course designed to permit the offering of topics of current interest and special workshops. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chairperson.

Student teaching shall consist of five weeks of full days of observation and teaching experiences in Special Education classrooms lower level. Lab fee.

Student teaching shall consist of five weeks of full days of observation and teaching experiences in Special Education classrooms grades in the middle level. Lab fee.

Student teaching shall consist of five weeks of full days of observation and teaching experiences in Special Education classrooms in the secondary levels. Lab fee.

This course is a preparatory course for the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) certification examination.

This course explores formal and informal means to assess various student populations. Transition planning and procedures are explored, including vocational and post-secondary options.

This course examines the selection and use of intervention strategies and techniques for students with learning disabilities.  There is an emphasis on exploring and implementing individualized education programs and approaches for meeting the needs of exceptional learners.  This course is limited to Interdisciplinary Education Majors. 

This course examines the range and variety of assistive technology, devices, services, and resources; their role in facilitating students' access to the general curriculum and active participation in educational activities and routines; and the state and federal laws pertaining to their acquisition and use. Procedures for coordinating activities of related services personnel, paraprofessionals, aides, volunteers, and peer tutors and the selection of assistive technologies for students with various needs are explored.

This course focuses on the formal and informal diagnostic assessment of disabled readers and the use of that data to plan, implement and monitor instruction that is focused on individual children's needs. Instruction targets Reading Standards specific to the understanding of phonological and phonemic awareness, the alphabetic principle, literacy development and practice, word analysis and decoding, reading fluency, reading comprehension, study skills, and assessment. Intervention strategies include the use of direct teacher instruction, games, manipulatives, and individualized plans designed to address reading deficits identified through assessment. Students also learn and apply parent communication and conferencing skills. A fifteen-hour case study is required. Prerequisite: READ 3624 must be completed prior to taking this class or be taken concurrently with approval of instructor.

A course designed for junior and senior level students. The course will consist of a wide variety of topics based on the specific needs or aspirations of the individual students. This course may be repeated for credit. Independent learning is designed to provide an opportunity for development of proficiency in specific areas under the direct supervision of the professor. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chairperson and director of special education.

May be scheduled as a service course designed to permit the offering of topics of current interest and special workshops. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chairperson.

A course designed for junior and senior level students. The course will consist of a wide variety of topics based on the specific needs or aspirations of the individual students. This course may be repeated for credit. Independent learning is designed to provide an opportunity for development of proficiency in specific areas under the direct supervision of the professor. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chairperson and director of special education.

May be scheduled as a service course designed to permit the offering of topics of current interest and special workshops. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chairperson.