Return to Early Childhood and Special Education | Courses Index

[1] Courses in Early Childhood and Special Education (ECSE)

3300 FOUNDATIONS FOR ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL EDUCATORS This course is designed to help candidates explore their motivation for teaching and gain a sense of the changing nature of schooling. It introduces candidates to the various roles assumed by teachers, including the role as reflective practitioner, childhood historian, student and family advocate, and designer of high quality learning environments. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations and field experiences are central to course development. This course is required for admission into the Teacher Education program. Course restricted to students who have declared a pre-major in Elementary Education K-6 or Special Education K-12.

3301 DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING THEORIES This course introduces the candidate to the physical, cognitive, language/communication, social, and emotional development of individuals from infancy through adulthood. This course surveys six developmental stages: prenatal development, infancy and toddlerhood, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, and the physical, cognitive and emotional changes that occur during these periods. Lectures, discussions, visual presentations, demonstrations, and field experiences are central to this course. Fall and/or spring.

3305 INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO CHILD AND YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE This course reviews the major theories and concepts related to cognition, metacognition, and motivation for reading for students in the K-12 settings, including students with special needs. The course teaches candidates how to analyze and integrate developmentally appropriate literature across a standards-based curriculum–digitally and through traditional print. This is one course in a series of literacy courses for teacher candidates. Fall and/or spring. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 and K-12 Special Education majors only.

3309 DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DIVERSE LEARNERS Introduces diverse populations through the study of the learning and development of diverse student populations (i.e., various cultures, disabilities, and gifted/talented). Characteristics of exceptionalities, effective inclusive practices, modifications and accommodations, and benefits of diversity in school settings are addressed. In addition, this course equips future educators with the knowledge and skills needed to form meaningful partnerships with diverse families. Course goals will be accomplished through the use of lecture, discussions, cooperative group work, and field experiences. Course restricted to students who have declared a major in Elementary Education K-6 or Special Education K-12. Prerequisites: ECSE 3301 and ECSE 3320 and admission into teacher education.

3320 FOUNDATIONS OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION This course examines historical and current delivery of special education services and program practices. Legal foundation and issues, special education terminology, and professional roles are addressed. Fall and/or Spring. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 and K-12 Special Education majors only.

4301 MATH AND SCIENCE FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS This course develops a knowledge base related to mathematical and science strategies and the specific competencies necessary for successful math and science instruction within a variety of instructional arrangements with diverse populations of exceptional learners. Course restricted to special education majors (K–12). Fall and/or Spring. Prerequisites: Completion of all program courses prior to Special Education Internship I.

4302 BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE FOR THE DIVERSE CLASSROOM This course examines the theory, research, and practice of providing positive behavior supports to students with challenging behaviors. The course emphasizes synthesizing theoretical and functional principles of behavior management used and observed in the classroom. Teacher candidates will be introduced to strategies, skills, and models for guiding and managing all students. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and field experiences are central to the course. Course restricted to special education majors (K–12). Fall and/or Spring. Prerequisites: Completion of all program courses prior to Special Education Internship I.

4303 CURRENT ISSUES AND TRENDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
This course requires students to learn and practice collaboration theories, techniques, and practices. The course will also teach students skills in collaborating and writing Individualized Education Plans, collaborative lesson planning, and skills in collaboration and legal issues pertaining to student transitions and working with diverse families. Course restricted to special education majors (K–12) only. Fall and/or Spring. Prerequisites: Completion of all program courses prior to Special Education Junior Block.

4304 METHODS FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SOCIAL STUDIES This course serves as a study of methods used in the teaching of social studies in the elementary classroom. It addresses basic models, strategies, and skills necessary for teaching social studies in an integrated curriculum. Course will utilize lectures, speakers, candidate projects, and clinical field experiences. Fall and/or Spring. Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 majors only.

4305 LITERACY ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION This course will examine reading assessment theory, materials, and procedure, as well as disciplinary literacy concepts. This course will also engage students in instructional strategies to compare and contrast multiple literacy text across genres, cultures and centuries. Students will learn to use a variety of reading assessments in a valid and reliable manner to make on-going instructional changes. Additionally, students will use this assessment information to plan and implement instruction in their field placements. Candidates will be trained to diagnose reading difficulties and implement interventions. This course is part of the Internship I cohort. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisite: All Junior Block classes and requirements must be successfully completed. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6and K-12 Special Education majors only.

4306 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR MIDDLE AND SECONDARY LEARNERS WITH MILD DISABILITIES This course incorporates assessment for educational planning, instructional methods, materials, strategies, and intervention models for teaching students grades 4-12 with diverse learning needs. Course restricted to special education majors (K–12) only. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisites: Completion of all program courses prior to Special Education Junior Block.

4307 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS This course prepares candidates to develop the skills to assist diverse learners in functioning more effectively in a general education setting. Through acquiring the necessary foundation of skills, the candidate will be more effective in assessing students (both with and without exceptionalities), designing and delivering response to intervention, universally designed learning, and appropriate modifications and accommodations for diverse learners. This course is part of the Junior Block Cohort. Course restricted to students who have declared a major in Elementary Education K-6 or Special Education K-12. Prerequisites: Admission into teacher education; completion of all program courses previous to Junior Block.

4308 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES This course incorporates assessment for educational planning, instructional methods, materials, strategies, and intervention models for teaching K–12 students with significant (moderate to profound) disabilities. Course restricted to special education majors (K–12). Fall and/or Spring. Prerequisites: Completion of all program courses prior to Special Education Internship I.

4309 POSITIVE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT This course prepares teacher education candidates in classroom management, behavior guidance, and social and emotional learning for the classroom. The course introduces candidates to strategies, skills, procedures, and models for managing the classroom with a focus on universal strategies to establish and maintain a positive classroom environment. Candidates will practice positive guidance, developmentally appropriate curricula development, room arrangement, and relationship development strategies through a strong field component. This course is part of the Junior Block Cohort. Course restricted to students who have declared a major in Elementary Education K-6 or Special Education K-12. Prerequisites: Admission into teacher education; completion of all program courses previous to Junior Block.

4311 FOUNDATIONS OF READING This course prepares teacher education candidates to teach reading/writing in the K-12 classroom. The course develops a knowledge base related to emerging literacy and the specific competencies necessary for successful reading/writing instruction within a variety of classroom situations and with diverse populations. This course is part of the Junior Block Cohort. Course restricted to students who have declared a major in Elementary Education K-6 or Special Education K-12. Prerequisites: Admission into teacher education; completion of all program courses previous to Junior Block.

4315 WORKSHOP APPROACH TO TEACHING WRITING IN THE K-12 CLASSROOM This course focuses on writing development and implementation of elementary through middle school writing strategies and materials using developmentally appropriate techniques that are professionally compatible with current research and practice. The diverse needs of the student and the integration of the curriculum are stressed throughout this course. This course also fosters a theoretical understanding of the writing process in part by writing in varied genres and forms, and emphasizes writing as an integral component of the entire curriculum. This course aligns with the ELA Common Core Standards. This course is part of the Junior Block Cohort. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisites: Admission into teacher education; completion of all program courses previous to Junior Block. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 and K-12 Special Education majors only.

4316 INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR MATH AND SCIENCE K-6 This course focuses on the development and implementation of strategies and materials using developmentally appropriate techniques that are professionally compatible with current research and practice in the field of elementary education, learning and application of mathematics and science for the 21st century. The diverse needs of the elementary students and the integration of the curriculum are stressed in the implementation of teaching materials and strategies. This course is part of the Internship I cohort. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisite: All Junior Block classes and requirements must be successfully completed. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 majors only.

4318 K-6 INTERNSHIP I This course is part of the Internship I semester for candidates in elementary K-6 education. The course utilizes field projects, field seminars, and supervised teaching where candidates gain experience in organizing instruction, in creating a productive learning environment, and in achieving professional behaviors. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisite: All Junior Block classes and requirements must be successfully completed. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 majors only.

4319 GUIDANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN This course builds upon universal strategies for building a positive classroom environment to include application of more individual guidance and social and emotional learning methods for students in the elementary classroom. Candidates align guidance strategies with individual student needs and develop an overall instructional guidance model that focuses on social and emotional learning. The course’s strong field component offers authentic opportunities to implement strategies of direct social and emotional skill development, service learning, and integration of the affective curriculum with academic curriculum. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and field experiences are central to the course, which will be conducted on the university and public school campuses. This course is part of the Internship I cohort. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisites: All Junior Block classes and requirements must be successfully completed. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 majors only.

4320 ELEMENTARY READING METHODS This course prepares K-6 teacher candidates to integrate reading/literacy strategies into disciplinary reading in various content areas. Emphasis is placed on assisting diverse learners to comprehend fiction and non-fiction texts, teaching domain specific vocabulary, acquiring key disciplinary concepts through reading and writing activities, utilizing informational text to build and increase knowledge, and developing creative and critical thinking skills. This course is part of the Internship I cohort. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisite: All Junior Block classes and requirements must be successfully completed. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 majors only.

4321 WORKING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES This course will examine state and federal laws governing and regulating early childhood special education, program delivery models, program development, and family involvement. Emphasis is placed on providing the students with knowledge of philosophies, roles, and services of various professionals providing services to young children with special needs. This course will include small group work, class discussion, and lecture. This is a required course for candidates pursuing the Instructional Specialist 0-8 program option. Prerequisite: The Special Education Block of classes is offered once a year in the fall semester. Thus, students must successfully complete Junior Block classes and when appropriate Internship I classes before being allowed to enroll in the Special Education Block. Fall. Course restricted to P-4 SPE majors only.

4322 ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION, AGES 0-8 WITH DISABILITIES This course will examine the theory, research, and practices of assessing students with disabilities in the classroom. The course emphasizes the concept of assessment, the assessment process, assessment options, and the practical skill of using assessment data for educational planning. This course will include cooperative learning, small group work, lecture, and class discussions. This is a required course for candidates pursuing the Instructional Specialist 0-8 program option. Prerequisite: The Special Education Block of classes is offered once a year in the fall semester. Thus, students must successfully complete Junior Block classes and when appropriate Internship I classes before being allowed to enroll in the Special Education Block. Fall. Course restricted to SPE P-4 majors only.

4323 MEDICAL ASPECTS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES The purpose of this course is to give candidates an understanding and identification of the medical causes of disabilities and educational implications of those conditions. The course is designed to assist candidates in developing skills in planning curriculum and instruction appropriate for students with significant (moderate to profound) disabilities. This course will include lecture, small group work, and discussion. This is a required course for candidates pursuing the Instructional Specialist 0-8 program option. Prerequisite: The Special Education Block of classes is offered once a year in the fall semester. Thus, students must successfully complete Junior Block classes and when appropriate Internship I classes before being allowed to enroll in the Special Education Block. Fall. Course restricted to P-4 SPE majors only.

4324 PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION [through Fall Semester 2014] The purpose of this course is to expose the teacher candidate to a variety of best practices in special education through interaction with selected special educators in the field. Candidates will also be given opportunities to authentically apply and evaluate current knowledge-based methods and strategies unique to the developmental needs of diverse learners. This course will include field placement and related field assignments. This is a required course for candidates pursuing the Instructional Specialist 0-8 program option. Prerequisite: The Special Education Block of classes is offered once a year in the fall semester. Thus, students must successfully complete Junior Block classes and when appropriate Internship I classes before being allowed to enroll in the Special Education Block. Fall. Course restricted to P-4 SPE majors only.

ECSE 4324 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM: ELEMENTARY [effective Spring Semester 2015] The purpose of this course is to expose the teacher candidate to a variety of best practices in elementary special education through interaction with selected special educators in the field. Candidates also will be given opportunities to authentically apply and evaluate current knowledge-based methods and strategies unique to the developmental needs of diverse learners. This course will include field placement and related field assignments. Course restricted to special education majors (K–12). Fall and/or Spring. Prerequisites: Completion of all program courses prior to Special Education Internship I.

ECSE 4325 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM: SECONDARY The purpose of this course is to expose the teacher candidate to a variety of best practices in secondary special education through interaction with selected special educators in the field. Candidates also will be given opportunities to authentically apply and evaluate current knowledge-based methods and strategies unique to the developmental needs of diverse learners. This course will include field placement and related field assignments in a secondary special education setting. Course restricted to special education majors (K–12). Fall and/or Spring. Prerequisites: Completion of all program courses prior to Special Education Junior Block.

4330 INTEGRATED CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT PLANNING This course is designed to provide the K-6 teacher candidate with the knowledge and skills to: develop integrated curriculum that is aligned to instructional and assessment strategies, methods and approaches; plan curriculum for all learners, and grow a body of knowledge in curriculum development for 21st century learning. Candidates will grow their professional language and understanding about curriculum development and data literacy. This course is part of the Junior Block Cohort. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisites: Admission into teacher education; completion of all program courses previous to Junior Block. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 majors only.

4331 DATA-DRIVEN INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING Data-driven instructional planning addresses how teacher candidates use assessment to motivate students, plan curriculum, deliver instruction, and support teacher effectiveness in a K-12 school environment. This course will build candidates’ data literacy and expand their professional knowledge, skills and abilities regarding basic assessment and data- driven decision making. This course is part of the Internship I cohort. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisite: All Junior Block classes and requirements must be successfully completed. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 and K-12 Special Education majors only.

4603 INTERNSHIP II Internship II comprises the final semester of work in the Teacher Education Program. The internship is conducted in public schools in sites and grade levels appropriate to the desired licensure level. Candidates work under the supervision of public school and university professionals. Taken concurrently with ECSE 4604. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisite: All program course requirements must be successfully completed before entering Internship II. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 and K-12 Special Education majors only.

4604 INTERNSHIP II Internship II comprises the final semester of work in the Teacher Education Program. The internship is conducted in public schools in sites and grade levels appropriate to the desired licensure level. Candidates work under the supervision of public school and university professionals. Taken concurrently with ECSE 4603. Fall and/or spring. Prerequisite: All program course requirements must be successfully completed before entering Internship II. Course restricted to Elementary Education K-6 and K-12 Special Education majors only.