SPED 7024 - Understanding Disabilities and Diversity

3 cr.

Course focuses on broadly defining disability and diversity. Topics include specific disabilities and the educational terminology for students with disabilities, English language learners, and students of culturally diverse backgrounds. The knowledge of special education federal and state laws, IEPs, pre-referrals, universal design and services provided by other agencies, are a main focus of this course. Candidates visit classrooms and explore the characteristics of safe and collaborative learning environments that value diversity. Candidates explore their own cultural background, experiences and perspectives regarding disability and diversity in order to learn instructional strategies and become familiar with materials to engage students of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Course replaces SPED 7004.