A Teacher's Guide To Special Education
What exactly is special education?
What are my responsibilities for students with disabilities as a regular classroom teacher? Like other students, those with disabilities are expected to make progress and it is the classroom teacher who is ultimately responsible for their achievement. But the world of special education is complex and not always easy to understand. This book explains everything a regular classroom teacher needs to know, including the laws that affect special education, what the classroom teacher’s responsibility is in the referral process and how to support students with disabilities after the evaluation for special education has been completed. This book is a must-read for teachers with students in their classrooms who have disabilities.
This course satisfies the WA State requirement for equity hours.
Required Reading: A Teacher's Guide To Special Education, by David E. Bateman and Jenifer L. Cline
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1) Purchase and read A Teacher’s Guide to Special Education, By David F. Bateman & Jenifer L. Cline
You can find this book at amazon.com or your favorite bookstore.
2) Write complete answers to all of the questions on the Book Study Handout. The handout is provided to you after registration is completed.
3) For educators seeking clock hours or professional development hours: In addition to Assignments 1 and 2 above...
Create a lesson plan that incorporates each of the components of the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) which can be found on page 36 of the text for elementary teachers and on page 37 of the text for secondary teachers (See examples of instructional practices revised for UDL in Figure 2.1 on page 35 of the text). Teach the lesson.
4) Write a 2-3 page paper describing the lesson plan, each of the components of the lesson plan and your success (or lack of success) of the lesson taught. You do not need to turn in the lesson plan.
Paper should be typed, double spaced using a 10-12 pt. font. Turn in the 2-3 page paper.
Effective July 1, 2024:
For educators seeking college credit rather than clock hours, here is the modified requirement: In addition to Assignments 1 and 2 above...
3) Create 5 lesson plans that incorporate each of the components of the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) which can be found on page 36 of the text for elementary teachers and on page 37 of the text for secondary teachers (See examples of instructional practices revised for UDL in Figure 2.1 on page 35 of the text). Teach the lesson.
4) Write a 5-6 page paper describing the lesson plans, each of the components of the lesson plans and your success (or lack of success) of the lessons taught. Be sure to turn in the lesson plan.
Paper should be typed, double spaced using a 10-12 pt. font. Turn in the 5-6 page paper.
All 4 assignments must be completed within 1 year. Upload completed handout and paper to your Dashboard on the website or email all completed assignments and paperwork to lorie@teacherstudy.org.
SPU NOTE: Please be sure to register prior to completing any coursework. Registering for a course after coursework has been started violates accreditation standards and puts the University at risk; therefore, SPU reserves the right to not award credit if students are found to be in violation of this policy. SPU coursework will be accepted a minimum of 2 weeks beyond registration date.
Grading Criteria - A Teacher’s Guide to Special Education
1) All 4 assignments must be completed within 1 year. Upload your documents to your Teacher Study Dashboard or Email all completed assignments and paperwork to lorie@teacherstudy.org.
2) The rubric for the book study handout is broken down into 4 goal areas.
The first goal area pertains to questions #1-14 on the handout. You will simply need to answer these questions and earn a “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” according to the rubric.
The second goal area pertains to questions #15-31 on the handout. You will simply need to answer these questions and earn a “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” according to the rubric.
The third goal area pertains to questions #32-34 on the handout. You will simply need to answer these questions and earn a “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” according to the rubric.
The fourth goal area pertains to questions #35-52 on the handout. You will simply need to answer these questions and earn a “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” according to the rubric.
The maximum number of combined points that can be earned is 20 (4 points on each of the 4 goal areas for the answers to the questions on the handout and 4 points for the reflection paper).
3) The rubric for the A Teacher’s Guide to Special Education reflection paper explains how to earn a “1”, “2”, “3” or “4”.
“A” grade = 18-20 points
“B” grade = 16-17 points
“C” grade = 14-15 points
“D” grade = 12-13 points
“F” grade = 11 points or les
A “NC” (no credit) grade will be given if all three assignments are not completed within one year.
Pass/No Pass Grading System (for clock hours or continuing education credits)
Pass = 14-20 points
No Pass = Less than 14 points
A “NC” (no credit) grade will be given if all three (3) assignments are not completed within (1) year.
Clock Hours and Continuing Education Unit Options for Washington State Educators:
Washington State Educators have the option of earning 30 Clock Hours for an additional $3 per clock hour fee ($90). Clock hours are offered through the following OSPI approved organizations:
ESD 112 Clock Hours: Once you complete the course, you will be directed to the ESD PdEnroller online system to easily claim your clock hours.
Gonzaga University: Once you complete the course, Gonzaga Center for Lifelong Learning will provide you with instructions on how to pay your $90 clock hour fee and quickly claim your clock hours.
Graduate Credit Options:
Seattle Pacific University: Earn 3 graduate level quarter credits. Additional $180 fee, payable to SPU. You must register with SPU first to earn graduate credit.
All Other PDUs, CEUs, CPEs and other known terms for Clock Hours:
30 Clock Hours for professional development are available for those outside of WA State. Other known terms include, but are not limited to, Professional Development Hours, Professional Development Points, CEU's, CPE's, PDU's or your school district's equivalent language for clock hours earned. A Certificate of Completion will be provided to all students once coursework is reviewed and graded.
Be sure to check with your state's agency regarding professional development and related requirements.
Online book studies that have not been accessed are refundable within 5 days of purchase date. No refund will be issued on any assignment that has been accessed, viewed, or partially completed. Online training courses may not be transferred to another student.
SPU refunds per SPU policy. Please visit their website for more information.