Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is an introduction to the diverse needs of students with exceptional abilities in public schools. It is designed to provide a historical and contemporary overview of the special education laws, eligibility categories, and procedures. Other topics include: partnering with families, intervention and identification, professional roles of special education team members, and research-based best practices. Audit available.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Define special education categories as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) including exceptional learners who are also English learners or gifted/talented learners.
• Define terms and concepts, basic procedures, and the roles of professionals serving students identified to receive special education services.
• Identify equitable techniques for effectively communicating and collaborating with the families of exceptional learners and professionals in schools who serve them.
• Deliver content in a culturally responsive manner to accommodate diverse learning perspectives.
• Demonstrate the ability to use reason, decision making, and complex problem-solving skills within a particular cultural context.

This course aspires to:

• Apply an equity framework for working with students with special education needs in order to rethink systems of access with the goal of helping students reach their highest potential 

• Develop a community of learners who are willing to share personal experiences that they have had with students or family members with exceptional needs to enhance the collective knowledge of the classroom community

• Help students develop a passion and ability to advocate for people with exceptional needs

Students will:

• Write initial and final impressions papers about the focus of this course 

• Study weekly Instructor’s Insights, read assigned chapters, and demonstrate understanding in writing of weekly modules by choosing from a variety of assignment options as outlined in each module

• Participate in weekly discussions by posting comments of reflection and sharing experiences, then responding to the comments of classmates 

• Arrange for and conduct an interview of a special education professional

• Prepare a Disability Resource Packet on a special education eligibility category of the student’s choosing

Students' progress will be evaluated and assigned a course grade by completing the following requirements: progressing through all course modules, demonstrating course content learned by writing reflection and topic papers, answering questions, and contributing to class online discussions.

Communication: Graduates of Portland Community College should be able to communicate effectively by determining the purpose of communication; analyzing audience and context to sue appropriate language and modality; and by responding to feedback to achieve clarity, coherence, and effectiveness.
Community and environmental responsibility: Graduates of Portland Community College should be able to apply scientific, cultural, and political perspectives in understanding the natural and social world and in addressing the consequences of human activity both globally and locally, demonstrating an understanding of social change and social action.
Critical thinking and problem solving: Graduates of Portland Community College should be able to think critically and creatively to solve problems, understanding and using various methods of reasoning and evaluating information and it sources.
Culture awareness: Graduates of Portland Community College should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the varieties of human cultures, perspectives, and forms of expressions as well as their own cultures complexities.
Professional competence: Graduates of Portland Community College should demonstrate mastery in a discipline of profession at a level appropriate to program and transfer requirements through the application of concepts, skills, processes, and technology in the performance of authentic tasks that enhance community involvement and employability.
Self-reflection: Graduates of Portland Community College should be self-appraising in applying the knowledge and skills they have learned, examining and evaluating personal beliefs and comparing them with the beliefs of others.