Getting Started

Course Overview

Discussion Posts and Rubrics

Major Assignments

Q & ADr. Phyllis Schiffer-Simon

This course provides an overview of inclusive classrooms.

It focuses on building strategies for educating special needs students in the regular classroom.

Additionally, the course explores various strategies for working in a collaborative setting to meet the needs of students with special needs in inclusive classrooms.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:1. Explain various categories of student

disabilities encountered in public schools.

2. Analyze the key components of the federal, state, and local mandates regarding exceptional children, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

3. Evaluate the various service delivery models for special needs students in the inclusive setting.

4. Evaluate strategies that enhance the integration of students with disabilities into the inclusive setting.

5. Evaluate effective communication strategies to enhance the relationship between school and family.

6. Analyze how teachers' professional, philosophical, and personal attitudes affect students in need of special education in the inclusive classroom.

Initial Discussion question is answered accurately and with detail. (6 Points)

Postings contain one or more critical thinking questions to advance the discussion. (6 Points)

Postings contain outside research (i.e. web links, articles, references). (6 Points)

Responses to classmates are thoughtful and advance the discussion. (6 Points)

Proper mechanics are used. (3 Points) Postings and responses are done during the

Kaplan week and not on the last day. (3 Points)

Unit 4: Debating the Use of Medication to Treat ADHD (180 Points)

This week you are to take a position on the following controversial statement: Medication is both effective and defensible as a way of modifying the disruptive behavior of students with ADHD in an inclusive setting.

Write a 400-word argument in which you present and defend your position. Be sure to address the following questions and use them as a guide when writing your argument:

.

Unit 4: Debating the Use of Medication to Treat ADHD (cont.)

• Explain and defend your position on the question of using medication to modify the behavior of students with ADHD.

• Evaluate strategies (other than the use of medication) for helping students with ADHD increase their ability to learn in the regular education setting.

*** Be sure to use APA style in the citation of at least 3 references.

Unit 6: Research Analysis (60 Points)

The article used for this assignment deals with the significant issues for parents and children with Autism. After reading the article and completing the research analysis, you should have a clear understanding of often-misunderstood parental issues concerning children with Autism disorders.

See Syllabus and Grading Rubric for the required

Sections to be included.

Unit Unit 7: Final Project: Inclusion Interviews (340 Points)

For your final project you will formulate a statement about co-teaching that incorporates the knowledge and insights you have gained in your readings and through interviewing 2 teachers: a special education teacher and a regular education teacher.

If you have an existing inclusive classroom in your school, try to interview teachers already involved in the inclusive process. If you do not have access to teachers who are already co-teaching, interview both a regular and a special education teacher who have knowledge of the inclusive setting.

Unit Unit 7: Final Project (cont.)Interview questions are provided to explore each

teacher’s role in establishing a co-teaching classroom.

After the interview, write an essay of 500-750 words addressing the following topics:

* the process of establishing an inclusive setting

* the role of administration in creating and maintaining an inclusive setting

* the challenges faced by the students and instructors

* the benefits and obstacles for all students as well as instructors.

Parents and students are partners with the school district throughout the entire special education process.

Six Principles:1. Parent and Student Participation2. Appropriate Evaluation3. Individualized Education Program (IEP)4. Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)5. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)6. Procedural Safeguards

What do we know about Mark?He is a 7 year old Kindergarten student in

danger of being retained.He has some inconsistencies in his

academic performance.Reading and math skills are poor.He has social issues.He has been diagnosed as ADHD and

prescribed medication by his pediatrician.

Illustrative Case Study: MarkCome to the Seminar prepared to discuss the

following:1. What were the indicators that Mark was eligible for

special education services? 2. What would you consider appropriate annual IEP goals

and immediate objectives for Mark? Remember to consider both academic and behavioral factors.

3. What academic program would best meet Mark's needs? Be sure to consider Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

4. What do you think is the educational prognosis for Mark? Should he be retained in Kindergarten? Why or Why not?