TMA 6680 Teaching the Exceptional Learner
Designed to provide an overview and an awareness of issues and trends related to special education that will assist regular education teachers in meeting the needs of all students in their classrooms, especially those who are at-risk or may have disabilities. General characteristics and the educational impact of various disabilities across age and severity will be explored. Information concerning educational services and current research about students with disabilities will be discussed. Students will actually explore a variety of methods, strategies, and tools that will help them acquire the instructional skills to identify, create interventions, participate in the special education process and make classroom accommodations and/or modifications for students that may have disabilities.
This course examines public school law and educational policy as they affect teachers' rights and legal responsibilities to students and their families. Content will include an examination of students' legal rights and ethical parameters of teaching and common sense practices to direct/inform the teacher. Content to build cultural competency including but not limited to English learners, race and ethnicity, and gender will be studied and applied. Applicable state, federal, and case law affecting schools is reviewed from organizational, historical, and professional dimensions.