EDC 684 Educ Students w/Special Needs

This course is designed for all educators and related providers who work with students that have learning disabilities, attention deficits (with or without hyperactivity), developmental delays, behavior problems or other distinctive disorders. Participants will also gain understanding of students with dyslexia, autism and multiple disabilities. Federal laws will be explored: IDEA, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitations Act of 1973, along with many required applications to the classroom. Participants will develop a clinical eye toward all students (with or without an IEP) as they learn about differentiated instructions and apply various curriculum adaptations to their specific educational setting. In addition, they will understand the differences between the various types of testing modifications (flexible schedule, flexible setting, revised test format, etc.) and will be able to apply said modification to students in their classrooms. Each course participant will organize and complete a case study based on their selected student already classified with a learning disability or ADD. We will review symptoms, describe individual deficits and customize an educational plan that will help that student function better in class while providing support and greater insight for the teacher. That plan will be put into effect during the last five sessions and monitored closely by course instructor. Various group activities will be utilized to maximize learning and provide interactions among participants. (3 credits)