Piedmont College

School of Education

________________________________________________________________________

Preparing Proactive Educators to Improve the Lives of Children

I.Course

Title:Curriculum and Instruction Methods for Students with SED, and Autism

Number:SPED 635

II.Instructor

Name:

Office Location: 

Office Hours: 

Phone:

Email and fax #:

III.Time and Place

Day(s):

Time:

Class Location: 

IV.Text(s)

Required:Long, N., & Morse, W. (1996).Conflict in the classroom:The education of at-risk and troubled students. Austin, TX:Pro-ED.

Simpson, R., & Myles, B. (1998).Educating children and youth with autism. Austin, TX:Pro-ED.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (4th ed.).

Supplemental:Some supplemental readings will be required.Copies will be made available.

V.School of Education Mission 

Piedmont College Mission:

Inspired by the liberal arts tradition and a historical association with the Congregational Christian Churches, Piedmont College cultivates a diverse, challenging, and caring intellectual environment to encourage academic success and spiritual development.

To accomplish this mission, the college offers a number of major fields of study that are informed by the liberal arts, including specialized professional programs and selected graduate programs.Instructional opportunities are also provided at distant locations to meet studentsÕ needs.

School of Education Mission & Philosophy:

The theme of the School of Education is ÒPreparing Proactive Educators to Improve the Lives of Children.ÓReinforcing the mission of Piedmont College, the School of Education strives to prepare reflective, scholarly, proactive educators.These practitioners effectively educate their own students to become knowledgeable, inquisitive, and collaborative learners in diverse, democratic learning communities.

Specific ideals under-gird our conceptual framework.We advocate the democratic ideals of equal rights and opportunities; individual freedom and responsibility; responsibility for the greater good; respect for diversity; openness to possibilities; and open, informed discourse.

We endorse the following processes as a means of striving for our democratic ideals:

1.Engaging in participatory decision-making.

2.Collecting information from all constituencies.

3.Examining options and projecting consequences.

4.Nurturing open discourse.

5.Providing for field experiences.

6.Assessing processes as well as products.

7.Modeling democratic ideals in the classroom.

8.Forming communities of learners.

9.Constantly revising the curriculum to reflect new insights and understandings.

Further, we endorse the development of a sense of personal integrity and of strong habits of mind (e.g., reflectiveness, persistence, clarity, accuracy, and responsiveness to feedback).

Conceptual Framework:

As a facilitator of environmental management familiar with models of best practices for effective education of the diverse population of students with EBD, the candidate will prepare students to successfully manage their own behavior in the home, school, and community.This course introduces the candidate to curricula and instructional/behavioral methodology for educating students in the public school setting and in transition them into post school opportunities including employment and community living.

Graduate MA and MAT Program Goals

The goal of the Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs at Piedmont College is to provide the graduate candidate knowledge in the social and educational development of students.Through an individualized program of study based on the candidateÕs undergraduate program, experience, and professional goals, the program seeks to:

¥encourage and equip program participants to become scholarly, reflective, practitioners;

¥provide the candidate with the ability to communicate and teach effectively using an interdisciplinary knowledge base and understanding of multidimensional classrooms;

¥use and facilitate critical thinking skills

¥enhance candidateÕs content knowledge, integrating it with instructional technology;

¥enable candidates to interpret and assess educational research, and conduct their own classroom-based research;

¥provide experiences that enable candidates to assume roles as scholarly practitioners and develop their skills and abilities as professional teachers.

VI.Course Description & Purpose

This course is designed to provide methodology, intervention strategies, and curriculum for educating students with SED, EBD, and autism.Because of the intensity of behavior problems exhibited by this population of learners, specific methods and curricula are needed to effectively intervene with maladaptive behaviors.

VII. School of Education Outcomes Addressed in the Class

Core Candidate Learning Outcomes(CCLO):

The following outcomes, adapted from the 1994 INTASC (Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium) standards, are addressed in this course:

1)Learning Environment: The candidate uses an understanding of individual and group motivation to create a caring learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-regulation.The candidate additionally fosters the ideals of a democratic classroom by treating students fairly and justly, providing intellectual challenge, and supporting students as they pursue knowledge and understanding.

2)Subject Matter:The scholarly candidate understands and can model the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

3)Student Learning:The reflective candidate understands how students develop and learn and can provide well-managed learning opportunities that support studentsÕ intellectual, social, and personal growth.

4)Diversity:The candidate committed to the ideals of the democratic classroom understands that learners are the products of their innate talents/disabilities, preferred learning styles, and cultural experiences and can adapt instruction to meet diverse needs. 

5)Instructional Strategies:The candidate understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage the development of studentsÕ critical thinking, problems solving, and performance skills.

6)Assessment Strategies:The candidate understands and uses a variety of assessment strategies to encourage the continual intellectual, social, and personal growth of students.

7)Communication and Technology:The candidate uses knowledge of effective verbal, non-verbal, and media communication techniques and technologies to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

8)Planning Instruction:The candidate plans and manages instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter/pedagogy, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

9)Reflection and Professional Development: The candidate is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of her/his choices and actions upon others, and who actively seeks opportunities for the continual development of a personal pedagogy.

10)Collaboration and Relationships: The candidate communicates and interacts with other educators, parents/families, and the community to support studentsÕ learning and well-being.

In addition to the Core Candidate Learning Outcomes identified by the School of Education, this course will address the following standards in alignment with the Council for Exceptional ChildrenÕs Professional Standards for teachers of students with emotional/behavioral disorders: 

1.The candidate will understand the philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education.

2.The candidate will identify the major social characteristics of individuals with E/BD.

3.The candidate will have knowledge of formal social assessment instruments and will be able to prepare accurate reports based on formal social assessments. 

4.The candidate will have knowledge of research supported instructional strategies and the skills necessary for implementing the strategies.

5.The candidate will be able to construct a functional classroom design that is effective for students.

6.The candidate will develop and implement a systematic behavior management plan.

7.The candidate will utilize behavior management/counseling techniques in managing student behavior.

8.The candidate will be a consumer of professional publications, journals, and development opportunities provided by membership in professional organizations.

9.The candidate will have knowledge of the Council for Exceptional ChildrenÕs Code of Ethics for Educators of Persons with Exceptionalities.

VIII.Course Outcomes

This class will operate as a democratic classroom.Candidates will engage in decision-making and take personal responsibility for the quality and productivity of group activities.Interactive discussion and problem solving will be emphasized.All ideas and contributions will be explored and respected.

Upon completion of this course, candidates will:

1.Identify classification systems, etiology, and behavioral characteristics of students with SED, EBD. and autism.

2.Identify and apply a variety of instructional strategies for students with SED, EBD, and autism.

3.Identify and discuss a variety of different treatment models for students with SED, EBD, and autism.

4.Identify and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of curricula used in teaching students with SED,EBD, and autism.

5.Identify transition requirements for students with EBD, SED, and autism in post high school and employment settings. 

IX.Course Policies & Procedures

A.Class Attendance & Participation

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance, timeliness, and participation are required.The School of Education policy states that more than the allotted number of excused absences for any reason will result in a failure of the course.The allotted number of excused absences is as follows:

¥Day classes meeting three times a week for an entire semester:6 absences

¥Day classes meeting two times a week for an entire semester:4 absences

¥All eight week classes:1 absence

¥Evening classes meeting for an entire semester:3 absences

Only absences due to illness or emergencies will be excused.Work missed due to an excused absence may be made up.It is the candidateÕs responsibility to inform the professor in writing of his or her plan for making up the work. Any candidate who misses more than the allotted number of classes will be asked to drop the course or will receive an F at the end of the semester.Please contact the professor prior to an absence when possible.Active participation includes (a)preparing for class by reading the text and/or other assigned readings, (b)actively participating in class discussions, and (c)contributing to group activities.

B.Academic Honesty

Written Work:

Use APA style (4th ed.).All papers for the course are to be typed using 12 point print.Papers should be error-free and grammatically correct (including punctuation, spelling, capitalization, etc.).Candidates should make good use of writing resources.Each paper should have a cover sheet with the candidateÕs name, course number and name, assignment title, and date. 

Academic Integrity

By accepting admission to Piedmont College, each candidate makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the ÒAcademic Integrity PolicyÓ without compromise or exception.This class will be conducted in strict observance of the policy.Refer to the Piedmont College Student Handbook for details.All work submitted must be original, appropriately referenced, and created in and for this course.

C.Special Consideration:

Candidates with any special needs should make these special needs known to the instructor during the first class session.Please provide appropriate documentation.

X.Course Outline & Student Expectations

A.Schedule & Topic Outline

Week 1:Syllabus & Classification Systems

Week 2:Etiology & Behavioral Characteristics:EBD & SED 

Week 3:Curriculum & Instruction:EBD & SED

Week 4:Etiology & Behavioral Characteristics:Autism

Week 5:Curriculum & Instruction:Autism

Week 6:Strengths & Weaknesses of Curricula

Week 7:Current Treatment Models

Week 8:Transition Requirements 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

B.Description of Assessments & Assignments

1.Candidates are responsible for all material presented in texts, handouts, and resource manuals.

2.Exams:Two exams will be administered.

3.Characteristics paper:Each candidate will complete two five page papers with five references that are no more than five years old.One paper will address the characteristics of individuals with autism.The other paper will be written on one of the exceptionalities or disorders listed below.

Eating disordersNo conscienceToileting problems

Dual diagnosisSleep disordersPost traumatic stress disorder

Childhood depressionSeparation anxietyAspergerÕs syndrome

Conduct disordersMood disordersObsessive compulsive disorder

School phobiasSuicidal behaviorSexual deviance

4.Curriculum Reviews:Each candidate will review 10 curriculum.Five of the curricula must be for individuals with autism.Five of the curricula must be for individuals with EBD or SED.Each review is to be one page and should include the following headings:

a.Reference information.

b.Description of the curriculum and identification of the targeted population.

c.Strengths.

d.Weaknesses.

e.Your opinion.

5.Methods Paper:You will write two 5 page papers on two methods that have been found to be effective in teaching reading to students with SED and language to students with autism.Each paper will include the following:

a.A statement of the problem including a review of the literature (5 reference).

b.Methods.

c.Application.

d.References. 

e.Copies of the research articles used in the paper.

C.Evaluation Criteria

Midterm exam10%

Final10%

Characteristics paper on autism20%

Characteristics paper on SED20%

Methods paper on autism20%

Methods paper on SED20%

D.Instructional Methods

Various instructional approaches will be utilized by the candidates and professor.Demonstrations, observations, class discussions, small group discussions, cooperative group work, use of educational technology, student presentations, readings, writings,listening, questioning, as well as formative and summative evaluations will be utilized.

X.Resources

A.Bibliography

Kauffman, J. (1997).Characteristics of emotional and behavioral disorders of children and youth, (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:Prentice Hall.

Long, N., & Morse, W. (1996).Conflict in the classroom:The education of at-risk and troubled students. Austin, TX:Pro-ED.

Mastropieri, M., & Scruggs, E. (1994).Effective instruction for special education. Austin, TX:Pro-ED.

Mesibov, G., Adams, L., & Klinger, L. (1997).Autism:Understanding the disorder.New York, NY:Plenum Press.

Simpson, R., & Myles, B. (1998).Educating children and youth with autism. Austin, TX:Pro-ED.

Walker, H. M., Colvin, G., & Ramsey, E. (1995).Antisocial behavior in school:Strategies and bestpractices.Pacific Grove, CA:Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.


 

B.Websites

Includes information for links to educational websites, praxis, QCC objectives and Standards.
 

XII.InstructorÕs Resources

Candidates may check out texts and curricula from the instructor.These are personal resources.If these resources are lost or damaged, they will need to be replaced prior to receiving a grade for the course.