Development, Ethics, And Policy In Special Education

Catalog description

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the developmental, social, legal, and ethical foundations of special education, with a focus on learners with mild intervention needs. Students will examine the historical and contemporary issues shaping education policy and practice for individuals with exceptionalities across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on applying the understanding of typical and atypical development in cognitive, social/emotional, language, and physical domains, and how these relate to the characteristics and etiologies of mild disabilities. Through this lens, students will integrate acquired knowledge to design and evaluate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that reflect strengths-based approaches to supporting outcomes for students with mild exceptionalities. Course Learning Outcomes 1. Critique foundational policies, ethical frameworks, and historical developments in special and general education, identifying their influence on contemporary inclusive practices and equity-centered systems. (CEC Initial 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 6.2, 7.1) 2. Evaluate individual learner profiles by synthesizing typical and atypical human development, cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and medical factors to inform equitable identification, placement, and instructional decisions for students with mild exceptionalities. (CEC Initial 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1) 3. Develop and critically evaluate individualized education programs (IEPs) by engaging collaborative teams—including families, students, and multidisciplinary professionals—and analyzing the impact of disability on positive life-long outcomes to ensure culturally responsive, equitable, and goal-oriented supports. (CEC Initial 3.1, 3.2, 4.3, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3) 4. Formulate strategies for reflective professional growth by interrogating personal biases, analyzing student outcomes, and aligning inclusive instruction with ethical, cultural, and developmental considerations. (CEC Initial 1.3, 5.2, 5.3, 5.6, 6.2) 5. Integrate professional resources and networks to advance inclusive education leadership and sustain transformative practices through continuous learning and engagement in scholarly communities. (CEC Initial 1.3, 7.1, 7.3, 7.4) View Class Schedule