Special Education

For four decades we have prepared students for excellence in teaching, assessment, curriculum development, professional leadership, and other service to students with disabilities, and their schools and agencies. We pursue this goal by offering excellent teaching by nationally recognized faculty, individual attention and collegiality, leadership opportunities, and high standards of learning and performance. Our graduates are eagerly sought by schools and agencies.

Objectives

The following objectives guide the coursework and other experiences of students in the Special Education graduate programs:

• Understand and articulate theories and research findings of typical and atypical human development, especially as they affect student differences and special education practice.
• Understand and articulate theories, legal policies, ethics, rights and responsibilities, research, and other knowledge that establishes a basis for special education practice.
• Use technology to support teaching, classroom and school management, assessment, and related services.
• Respond to the needs of students with learning, behavior, and emotional disabilities who are diverse in culture, learning style, and otherwise.
• Use formal and informal assessment to evaluate student learning, behavior, emotional, and other education-related functioning for a variety of purposes.
• Apply knowledge to manage various education environments to deliver appropriate education to students with disabilities.
• Apply knowledge to select and adapt instruction practices to deliver appropriate education to students with disabilities.
• Apply knowledge to maximize cooperative action with parents, professionals, and organizations to deliver appropriate education to students with disabilities.