Grading:
A – 295-370
B - 254-294
C - 203-253
D - 162-202
F -- below 162
Class assignments:
Abstracts: Read two articles from current professional journals (1998-2010). Each article should relate to a different exceptionality discussed in this course. Write a brief description of the purpose, methods, and finding of the researcher/author. Indicate the exceptionality.
In a few sentences, add your own comments. Length: 2 typed, double-spaced pages.
Abstracts worth: 20 points each. Total 40 points.
Observations: Select two different educational, therapeutic, or vocational programs serving exceptional children and/or adults. Prepare a description or your visit. For example:
Describe the physical characteristics of students, techniques used by the teacher/therapist for training, reward, discipline.
Include in your report:
1.
Name and address of facility/school visited. Staff observed.
2.
Who is served? Type of exceptionality, age range, behaviors exhibited.
3.
Techniques, methods, materials used by staff.
4.
What alterations of the physical environment, teaching techniques and materials have been made to accommodate the exceptionality?
5.
Your personal reaction to the visit. Analyze in relation to information gained from class and readings.
Each report is worth 20 points.
Interview: Do not choose person to be interviewed until after the third class. A person with a disability may be interviewed or an outstanding teacher of individuals with disabilities.
Include in your report:
1.
Name and address of person interviewed.
2.
Length of time for the interview.
3.
Reason you chose this person for the interview.
4.
Six self-composed interview questions.
5.
Interview answers for each question.
6.
Interview must be typed, double-spaced, grammar and spelling corrected.

Interview is worth 40 points.
Internet Searches: You are to work with your team and establish 20 Internet sites that are associated with your area of presentation. Provide a copy of the Homepage and a one-page analysis of that site. The site should be as educationally relevant as possible. Provide a packet of your sites for each of the teams in the class.
Internet Searches Project is worth 40 points.
Presentations: each team will give a presentation on a specific area of disability. The presentations should last no longer than 45 minutes per team. A presentation outline will be expected prior to the presentation and copies will be made available for each class member.
You will be graded on accuracy, clarity, and evidence of teamwork/collaboration.
Presentation is worth 60 points.
Class Attendance and Participation : You will receive 10 points for every class you attend and participate with me or your peers. Attendance and participation is VERY important in this class. If for some reason class is not held then the total points will be reduced by 10.
Class attendance and participation total points 150
Make-ups :
Students will complete assignments within two week of original deadline. Failure to meet the original deadline will cause a 10% reduction in assignment grade.
COURSE CALENDAR

Introductions, Course outline discussions, Team development, and nature of course.
Chapter 1 The Purpose and Promise. Set dates for projects.
Chapter 2 Planning and Providing Special Education Services
Chapter 3 Collaboration in a Culturally Diverse Society.
Chapter 4 Intellectual Disabilities
Chapter 5 Learning Disabilities
Chapter 6 Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
Two outside articles due today.
Chapter 7 Autism Spectrum Disorders
Chapter 8 Communication Disorders
Internet searches due today.
Chapter 9 Deafness and Hearing loss
Chapter 10 Blindness and Low Vision
Observations due today.
Chapter 11 Phy. Disabilities,Health Impairments and ADHD
Interview due today
Chapter 12 Low Incidence Disabilities.
Presentations begin today.
Chapter 13 Giftedness and Talent
Observations due today.
Chapter 14 Early Childhood Special Education
Chapter 15 Transition to Adulthood