Special Education

EDSP 2362. Special Education Rules and Regulations. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Laws and litigation that affect the education of students with disabilities are examined. Includes procedures pertinent to teachers providing special education services such as federal and state regulations, IEPs, and the development of basic instructional plans.

EDSP 3360. Assessment Principles in Special Education. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to provide an understanding of formal and informal assessment and evaluation procedures. In addition, it will present how to evaluate k-12 student competencies in order to make instructional decisions. A field-based experience is required. Prerequisite: EDUC 2301 or EDSP 3361.

EDSP 3361. Survey of Exceptional Learners. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The characteristics of exceptional learners and the educational programs for individuals with disabilities will be surveyed. Additional course content will include the legislation and court cases related to special education and the referral, diagnosis, and placement of exceptional learners. A field experience is required. Prerequisite: TASP/THEA requirement must be met.

EDSP 4086. Special Education Problems. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-3 Hours).

A course featuring independent research, reading, application and discussion under personal direction of instructor. Topics vary according to student need. Open to students of junior or senior classification who have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program and with approval of the instructor and department head.

EDSP 4361. Teaching Strategies for Adolescent Students with Learning Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to be a Survey of exceptional learners and the mandated educational programs for individuals with disabilities in middle and secondary schools. Additional course content will include instructional and communicative strategies that will facilitate appropriate and productive inclusion of middle and secondary age students with diagnosed and undiagnosed disabilities within general education classrooms and other school settings.. A field experience is required. Prerequisites: EDUC 3321 or EDUC 3320 and admission to Teacher Education.

EDSP 4362. Special Education Rules and Regulations for Teachers. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Laws and litigation that affect the education of students with disabilities are examined. Includes procedures pertinent to teachers providing special education services such as federal and state regulations, IEPs, and the development of basic instructional plans. Field experience required. Prerequisite: EDSP 3361, equivalent course, or approval of department head.

EDSP 4363. Teaching Learners with Learning Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Learning disabilities are examined with emphasis on history, definition, causation and characteristics. Content includes teaching methods for language, academic, and social skills as well as effective inclusive practices. Strategies for successful collaboration with parents, guardians, paraprofessionals and general education teachers are studied. Field experience required. Prerequisite: EDUC 2301.

EDSP 4364. Teaching Learners with Developmental Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Etiology and characteristics associated with deficits in development are studied. Effects of developmental disabilities in the areas of language acquisition and physical, social and emotional functioning are examined. Course content includes methods for teaching functional academic skills, communication skills and life management skills, working with parents, paraprofessionals and related service personnel, community based instruction and vocational planning. Field experience required. Prerequisite: EDUC 2301 or EDSP 3361.

EDSP 4365. Behavior Management for Exceptional Learners. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Information is provided on managing a classroom that includes students with disabilities. Topics include creating positive interpersonal relationships in the classroom, increasing student motivation and learning, minimizing disruptive behavior, behavioral management strategies, curriculum adaptations, crisis management and behavior management theories and strategies. Information will also be provided on the typical characteristics associated with emotional disabilities and identification procedures utilized. Field experience required. Prerequisite: EDUC 2301 or EDSP 3361.

EDSP 4367. Programming for Young Children with Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Study of young children with disabilities aged birth to 6 with an emphasis on the techniques for implementing programs to meet the needs of the child and the family. Early intervention, medical intervention, and public school educational programming for infants, toddlers, and young children who are at risk will be addressed as well as parent involvement models to promote optimum parent-child and parent-professional relationships. Emphasis on recent research related to early childhood special education. Field experience required.

EDSP 5086. Special Education Problems. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-3 Hours).

Open to graduate students who are capable of developing a problem independently. Problems are chosen by the student and approved in advance by the instructor and department head. Prerequisites: Full admission to the College of Graduate Studies and a graduate degree or certification program.

EDSP 5305. Introduction to Exceptional Learners. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A survey of learner characteristics and an examination of instructional techniques that promote academic, personal, and social growth in exceptional learners and an examination of the process and procedures relating to the placement of exceptional learners. Prerequisite: 18 hours of professional education or certification.

EDSP 5310. Special Education Law. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to interpret and apply current special education policy and law to practice, and develop the skills to be professional and ethical educational leaders and advocates for students with disabilities. In addition, an exposure to how issues of diversity have shaped federal statutes and regulations concerning assessment and evaluation procedures, due process and mediation, discipline, individual education plans (IEPs), free appropriate education (FAPE), and least restrictive environment (LRE).

EDSP 5311. Behavior Management in Special Education Environments. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Characteristics of students with emotional disabilities, including the application of behavioral management strategies appropriate for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Course content includes: functional assessment of behavior; development of behavior intervention plans; strategies for teaching appropriate behavior; crisis management strategies; integrating behavior management with instructional programs in school, community and home settings. Prerequisite: admission to the alternative teacher certification program at Tarleton.

EDSP 5313. Advanced Study of Learning Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of research-based instructional methods appropriate for students with high incidence disabilities, including causation, diagnosis and educational programming. Course content includes methods for teaching students with learning disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, speech and language impairments, behavior disorders and other high incidence disabilities. Emphasis placed on adaptation, accommodation, and modification strategies as well as collaboration with parents, paraprofessionals, general education teachers, and other educational professionals.

EDSP 5315. Advanced Study of Development Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of research-based instructional methods appropriate for students with learning and developmental disabilities, including causation, diagnosis and educational programming. Course content includes methods for teaching students with learning and developmental disabilities; adapting general education classrooms to accommodate the inclusion of students with learning and developmental disabilities; collaboration with parents, paraprofessionals, and general education teachers. Prerequisite: EDSP 5305 or approval of department head.

EDSP 5320. Assessing Students with Exceptionalities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides knowledge and skills related to various forms of assessment which are designed to identify and support students with exceptional learning and behavioral needs. Students will become familiar with general concepts related to tests and measurement, and gain experience using various forms of formal and informal assessment. Assessment data will be analyzed and used to help formulate various elements of student instructional plans/interventions. Prerequisite: EDSP 5305.

EDSP 5325. Appraisal of Exceptional Learners. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Standardized assessment of the academic achievement of students referred for or currently receiving special education services including test administration, analysis, and reporting of scores, and program planning. Prerequisite: Admission into Educational Diagnostician program; EDSP 5305 or concurrent enrollment; or approval of department head. Lab fee: $30.

EDSP 5327. Teaching Students with Severe to Profound Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Definitions, characteristics, and instructional techniques for students with severe and profound disabilities, including functional assessment, applied behavioral analysis, Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives, transition and placement issues. Prerequisite: EDSP 5305 or approval of department head.

EDSP 5328. Case Management for Educational Diagnosticians. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course addresses state and federal laws that affect the diagnosis, placements, and programs for students with disabilities and the diagnostician's role and responsibilities as compliance officers. Enrollment limited to students admitted to the Diagnostician Certification Program or permission of department head. Prerequisites: Admission to the Educational Diagnostician Certification Program, EDSP 5305, EDSP 5325 and EDSP 5329.

EDSP 5329. Assessing Cognitive Abilities of Exceptional Learners. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Standardized assessment of the cognitive and adaptive behavior abilities of exceptional students. Includes test administration, scoring, analysis, and program planning. Prerequisites: Acceptance into Educational Diagnostician program, EDSP 5305, and EDSP 5325. Lab fee: $2.

EDSP 5397. Internship in Special Education Teaching. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 7 Hours).

A supervised, field-based experience in a special education classroom. Interns must demonstrate proficiency in applying effective teaching practices and classroom management strategies in a school classroom. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Admission to a teacher certification program at Tarleton; satisfactory performance in the professional development courses preceding the internship.

EDSP 5399. Practicum for Educational Diagnosticians. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 7 Hours).

Supervised professional activities for students preparing for certification as an educational diagnostician. Professional activities will include test administration, scoring, analysis, diagnosis, report writing, and program planning. Students will be required to demonstrate competence in the performance of professional duties as an educational diagnostician. This project addresses a practical, real world challenge using the skills and knowledge students have gained throughout their program of study. The completed project will demonstrate critical thinking, research-based best practices, review of scholarly literature, and formal reporting consistent with APA style. A minimum of 300 hours of documented related professional activities will be required. A field experience fee of $50.00 is required for this course. Prerequisites: EDSP 5305, 5325, and 5329 or approval of department head.