EDL 685C Special Education Director Field Practicum (3 credits)
Syllabus of Record
Prerequisites:
EDL 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 668, 677, 685B
Catalog Description: This course is a field-based experience designed to provide clinical
experience for teaching or administration majors. Each practicum shall be no less than the
minimum requirements set forth by state and accrediting agencies and must be met with
approval by the appropriate program personnel.
The COE Conceptual Framework
Mission: “Teaching, Leading and Learning in a Democratic Society”
The College of Education prepares candidates who enhance the individual growth of their
students while working to establish policies and practices that promote the principles of
democratic education. The College articulates this mission as Teaching, Leading, and
Learning in a Democratic Society.
Values: “Expertise, Equity, Liberal Education, Social Responsibility
The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our
interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide
our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of
candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we
serve.
Philosophy: Student Potential, Ethical Implications
Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of
individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders a) to enhance the
academic and personal potential of their students, and b) to evaluate the social and ethical
implications of educational policies and practices.
Common Program Standards:
This course supports the competencies required by the Michigan Administrative Rules for
Special Education for approval as a Supervisor and Director of Special Education, and the
professional standards established by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), a
constituent member of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Specialty Program Standards (CEC):
Standard 1: Leadership and Policy
ACC1K3
Emerging issues and trends that potentially affect the school community and
the mission of the school
Standard 2: Program Development and Organization
ACC2K4
Prereferral intervention processes and strategies
Standard 3: Research and Inquiry
ACC3S1
Identify and use the research literature to resolve issues of professional
practice
SA3S3
Joins and participates in professional administrative organizations to guide
administrative practices when working with individuals with exceptional
learning needs and their families
Standard 4: Individual and Program Evaluation
ACC4K1
Evaluation process and determination of eligibility
ACC4K3
Strategies for identifying individuals with exceptional learning needs
SA4K1
Models, theories, and practices used to evaluate educational programs and
personnel serving individuals with exceptional learning needs and their
families
Standard 5: Professional Development and Ethical Practice
ACC5S6
Develop and implement a personalized professional development plan
Standard 6: Collaboration
SA6S6
Implements collaborative administrative procedures and strategies to
facilitate communication among all stakeholders
SA6S8
Consults and collaborates in administrative and instructional decisions at the
school and district levels
Objectives:
Candidate will provide evidence of the completion of the following tasks:
Communication Plan (staff groups, parents, district administrators, colleagues)
Analysis of perceived role of director role by: LEA director, ISD director, superintendent
Analysis of general funding issues at the district level
Reporting of dispute resolution procedures and data at the ISD level
Analysis of MDE determinations for district on State Performance Plan Indicators
Research based project dealing with candidate selected legal issue
Mock interview for administrator position
Major Topics:
School and Community Relationships
Director Role Differences (urban v. suburban v. rural, ISD level v. LEA level)
Special Education Funding
Dispute Resolution
Michigan Continuous Improvement Monitoring System (CIMS)
Formulation of District Level Policies and Procedures
Methods of Evaluation:
20%- Mock Interview for director position
80%- Portfolio (Key Assessment)
Suggested Text:
None