Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the theory and practice of special programs provided in the schools. These programs usually have special or categorical funds. Such programs have common characteristics regarding the receipt, application, and accountability of funds as well as the specifying of eligibility criteria and services for students. Schools today are more sophisticated and offer an increasing array of programs. No one person is likely to possess a complete understanding of every program delivered in the typical school. This course design will provide school personnel— particularly school administrators and teacher leaders—with the knowledge needed to successfully manage the various special instructional and support programs in schools. Organization and time management is critical to the success of any administrator. As you begin this course, read the entire syllabus and all of the modules. Review all materials and begin to plan the semester.
Course Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Discuss the positive and negative aspects of standardized testing programs for students.
- Discourse on the importance of recent federal government actions against the state of Texas the implications of these actions.
- Identify how the values and beliefs of school/district leadership affect programming decisions for English Language Learners.
- Identify strategies a principal can use when dealing with parents whose child does not qualify for the gifted program.
- Evaluate an early childhood program.
- Evaluate a school counselor.
- Understand the issues involving an Alternative Educational Placement setting or an Adjudicated Youth Program setting.
- Understand and present the history and background, current laws, court decisions, guidelines, and regulations of governmental agencies, procedures for acquiring support, management functions, and evaluation of a selected special program within a public school.
- Display an understanding of IDEA and 504, including the difference between the two programs and the continuum of services provided.