TM

---

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
FALL & SPRING SEMESTERS
SPEC 5120
ISSUES AND TRENDS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
2 SEMESTER HOURS

REQUIRED TEXT

No text required.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A study of the current issues and trends in the field of special education related to instruction, advocacy, policy, service delivery, and training. Students will investigate an area of interest based on empirical literature.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK PRINCIPLES ADDRESSED IN THIS COURSE:

Principle 1. Graduates are committed to their roles as helping professionals.

Principle 3. Graduates think systematically about their practice, use research and technology and contribute to the knowledge base.

Principle 4. Graduates are members of learning communities.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. To identify the works of twenty prominent leaders in the field of special education (Principles 1, 3, 4)

2. To identify at least twenty issues in the delivery of special education services in a diverse society, (Principles 1,3,4)

3. To demonstrate skills to verbally debate current issues in the field of special education, (Principles 3, 4)

4. To exhaustively review research literature in a specialized topic/issue area, (Principle 3) and

5. To demonstrate skills to effectively present issue arguments in written form. (Principle 3, 4)

ACTIVITIES/ASSIGNMENTS/REQUIREMENTS:

Complete assigned readings and come to class with required materials to complete activities and participate in discussions.

Regular class attendance is imperative.

Write a 20-25 page paper on a trend or issue of interest and use to you. The paper must be prepared in APA format.

"Developing Professionals for Service"

Present the content of your paper to an appropriate group in an approximate one hour inservice format.

COURSE EVALUATION

Participation in class discussions 25%

Paper 25%

Presentation 25%

Mid-term 12.5%

Final 12.5%

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The attendance policy of the university will be used in this course.

INSTRUCTOR

Philip L. Gunter, PhD, Office number 175 Education Center

Office phone: 912-333-5606

e-mail: pgunter@ valdosta. edu

SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT (ADA ADDRESSED)

Students requiring classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability should discuss this need with the professor at the beginning of the quarter. Students not registered with the Special Services Program should contact the Special Services office in Nevins Hall, Room 1115. The phone number is 245-2498.

COURSE SCHEDULE

(Optional)

August 24 Introductions of class members

Review course requirements and syllabus

Watch and discuss video: Prisoners of Silence

What are the real issues?

Assigned readings:

August 31 What's so special about special education: What the data say

Assigned Readings:

September 14 Inclusion and Integration-Educating Peter- Guest speakers: Drs. Bob and Patti Campbell, School level inclusion

September 21 Inclusion and Integration-Related Services-

Assigned Readings:

September 28 1997 IDEA reauthorization-Legal issues- Guest speakers: Dr. Harry Hamm, PsychoEd Director (Discipline, alternative placements, residential placements, transition) and Ms. Seba Lanier, Special Education Director Lowndes County Schools (Implementing IDEA 1997 at the school level)

October 5 Mid-term exam

Assigned Readings:

12. Functional analysis-Positive Behavior Support-Discipline-Lovaas

Assigned Readings:

13. Early Intervention- Guest speaker: Dr. Marti Venn ( Research in early intervention, Babies Can't Wait)

Assigned Readings:

26 Technology Applications -Instruction, Information services, Interactive assistance- Guest Lecturer: Pam Zipperer (Assistive Technology)

Assigned Readings:

November 2 Teacher Training and Retention

Assignment:

5 Developing position statements, Writing

9 Student Presentations

16 Student Presentations

30 Student Presentations

December 7 Student Presentations

Final December 14

---

[About the Construction of this Site]