Special Education

Subdomains

Click on the subdomain titles to examine the range of skills and concepts a student can expect to demonstrate for assessment of this Domain:

• Foundations of Special Education
• Professional Planning, Design and Development

Foundations of Special Education

• The graduate evaluates and incorporates a knowledge base of historical and philosophical foundations of special education into program development and professional practice serving students who manifest mild to moderate disabling conditions that require special education services.
• The graduate recognizes and evaluates the characteristics of students with exceptional learning needs and analyzes associated issues such as etiology.
• The graduate explains the impact of relevant state and federal laws; recognizes the legal and ethical implications in situations relevant to special education program operation and management; and discusses other related legal and ethical issues.
• The graduate applies professional and ethical practices to interactions in the classroom as well as in the community; identifies activities that foster life-long learning; and recognizes and reflects on the value of continued professional growth.
• The graduate identifies and uses federal and state statutes, policies, and regulations in professional and ethical practices; and applies theoretical constructs to track provided services for special education students from pre-referral through post-secondary, including community-based options such as screening, transition, and record maintenance.

Professional Planning, Design and Development

• The graduate evaluates, develops, and adapts the use of appropriate instructional strategies and materials based on federal and state standards in planning a special education programs.
• The graduate identifies, selects, and utilizes appropriate instructional strategies and materials based on federal and state standards.
• The graduate uses a variety of instructional strategies and collaboration techniques to create learning environments that encourage positive social interactions and respect for diversity.
• The graduate performs responsibilities consistent with federal and state laws and institutional policies in supervising paraprofessionals and other staff, and uses appropriate supervision strategies and techniques including constructive feedback based on frequent interactions.