Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Describe key changes in special education.
• Describe the key categories of learning disabilities and other related disabilities in young children, school age children, adolescents, and adults.
• Identify the assessment tools utilized for assessment and guiding instruction in special education.
• Explain the role of learning theory in the field of learning disabilities and related disabilities.
• Describe the importance of developmental, behavioral, and cognitive psychology in developing instructional strategies for students with learning disabilities.
• Identify the legal protections specific to students with disabilities.

Course Activities and Design

Students will:

• Read chapters and complete weekly quizzes
• Preview videos
• Read and provide analysis to case studies
• Participate in group discussions.
• Observe students with disabilities
• Interview a learning disability specialist

Student's progress will be evaluated and criteria for assigning a course grade by the following tools: assignments, chapter quizzes, discussions, and completion of a final project.

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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.