Pittsburg State University
College of Education
Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies
Spring 2009
Course Number:
SSLS 779
Title:
Teaching Elementary Students with Adaptive Learning
Needs
Credit Hours:
3
Instructor:
Ann George, Ed.D.
Course Time Schedule:
Monday
5:00-7:50
223 Hughes Hall
Office:
211 Hughes Hall
Office Phone:
(620) 235-6090
Office Hours:
M, T, W - 1:00-5:00
By Appointment
E-mail:
ageorge@pittstate.edu
Fax:
(620) 235-4520
Course Description
SSLS 779 Teaching Elementary Students with Adaptive Learning Needs is a graduate
course specifically designed to provide the trainee with the knowledge and skills to
effectively instruct elementary students identified as having adaptive learning needs.
Purpose of the Course
To equip special education teachers with necessary skills to design programs that
promote continuous academic progress for students with adaptive learning needs in
general and special education settings while implementing federal and state requirements.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Apply delivery models of corrective instructional interventions and remedial
strategies in the areas of academic and behavioral performance (Response to
Interventions)
2. Demonstrate the ability to use assessment information and translate it into
instructional planning
3. Develop and implement Individual Education Programs (IEP’s) that meet
state and local requirements
4. Apply assessment information to develop behavior interventions
5. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with educators and provide leadership
in the area of special education
6. Acquire and apply skills in adapting/modifying educational materials of
various kinds
7. Create a teaching unit project that includes planning and implementing
effective instruction
Instructional Resources
Required text:
Mercer, C.D., and Mercer, A.R. (2005). Teaching Students with Learning Problems (7th
ed.). Columbus: Charles E. Merrill Publishing Company.
ISBN: 0-13-112807-8
Educational resources from media centers and/or internet
Kansas Special Education Process Handbook: http://www.kansped.org/
Missouri Special Education Handbook:
http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced/compliance/index.html
Oklahoma Special Education Handbook:
http://www.sde.state.ok.us/pro/spedpp.html
The class will use Angel as an instructional tool to augment class sessions: students will
need an active e-mail address that is capable of uploading and downloading files.
Handouts distributed during class as well as other resources provided by the instructor
Teaching Strategies
The instructional format of this course will be a combination of group activities, guest
speakers, student presentations, role-plays, and readings. A portion of the student contact
time will be online, utilizing Angel.
Written Communication Skills
All text submitted should represent the writer’s best writing skills. Spelling, punctuation,
grammar, and sentence structure will be evaluated in each assignment and graded
accordingly.
Course Content
The course will be organized by the topics listed below. Specific assignments will be
listed on the course schedule.
1. Federal and state compliance issues
2. Special education process
3. IEP requirements
4. General and special education collaboration
5. Instructional interventions
6. Assessing and teaching classroom behaviors
7. Assessing and teaching language
8. Assessing and teaching reading
9. Assessing and teaching math
10. Assessing and teaching spelling/handwriting/content areas
11. Teaching learning strategies and study skills
Course Requirements
The student is to be prepared by reading the assigned chapters in the text and
supplemental materials. Written and oral assignments are to be completed by the due
date.
Course Assignments and Evaluation
The final grade for the course will be assessed in the following manner:
Percent
Points
Grade
90-100%
500-450 points
A
80-89%
449-400 points
B
70-79%
399-350 points
C
Grades are based on: “A” grades will be determined on the quality of projects plus test
scores. Completion of all projects does not guarantee an “A” grade.
Assignment
Participation
ANGEL activities
Teaching Unit- Part 1
Teaching Unit- Part 2
Teaching Unit- Part 3
Teaching Unit- Part 4
Teaching Unit- Part 5
Intervention Manual
Total Points
Due Date
On-going
5 @ 10 points each
February 23
March 9
March 23
April 13
April 27
May 11
Points
Expected
50 points
50 points
50 points
50 points
75 points
25 points
100 points
400 points
Project Policy
Projects are graded and returned with corrective feedback. Projects which are completed
with less than 80% accuracy may be re-worked and re-submitted for re-grading. This is
to give the student an opportunity to demonstrate mastery at a level acceptable for course
completion. Projects receiving 80% or better may not be redone.
Maximum points to be earned on an assignment will be reduced by 10% for each
calendar day the assignment is late. If a student must be absent from class on the day that
an assignment is due, it is the student’s obligation to make certain the assignment is
submitted by email or delivered by a classmate. Similarly, if a student must be absent
from class on the day of an assessment, it is imperative that the student make
arrangements to take the assessment before the established date.
Incompletes are discouraged for this course. Students who do request an Incomplete will
not be eligible for an A as a final grade. Taking an Incomplete will also require the
student to submit to the instructor a plan of completion.
Attendance
This class will be a combination of on-line and on-site sessions. When class meetings are
on-site, attendance is mandatory since the majority of information will be presented
through lectures, class discussions, and class activities. Therefore, for each unexcused
absence, habitual late arrival or failure to remain for the entire course will result in a 5%
deduction in your grade. Excessive absences will negatively impact the student’s grade,
and may result in the student being dropped from the class. (See 2005-07 University
Catalog, pg. 41)
If you must miss a class, arrive late, or leave early please contact me in advance or as
soon as possible if the absence is due to an emergency. You will be expected to make
arrangements to complete assignments for the class that you missed.
Inclement Weather
On rare occasions due to inclement weather, class may be cancelled. The SSLS office
(620-235-4484) will make every effort to contact you via email or a telephone message at
your home or place of employment to let you know that your class has been canceled.
You should also check the announcements button on the Angel site.
Academic Honesty
Students are reminded to be familiar with the ”Dishonesty in Academic Work” policy in
the 2005-07 University Catalog. Students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity
at all times. Violations will be handled as indicated in the written policy.
Respect for the Academic Process
The rights and responsibilities that accompany academic freedom are at the heart of the
intellectual purposes of the University. Our conduct as community members should
protect and promote the University’s pursuit of its academic mission. We are all,
therefore, expected to conduct ourselves with integrity in our learning, teaching and
research, and in ways in which we support those endeavors.