College of Education
Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies
Fall 2008
Course Number:
SSLS 855
Title:
Administration and Supervision of Special Education
Credit Hours:
3
Instructor:
Ann George, Ed.D.
Course Time Schedule:
Wednesday, 5:00-9:00 (Bundled Class)
Room 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 855 Administration and Supervision of Special Education is a graduate course
specifically designed to provide the special education information and skills needed to be
a public school administrator and an educational leader who will be an advocate for all
students.
Course Objectives:
Students will:
1.
Understand the need to provide for individual differences of students
2.
Understand the need to provide for the special needs of all exceptional
children and youth
3.
Understand the issues of a complex and culturally diverse society
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Understand the scope of special education programs
Understand the framework for developing and operating special education
programs
Understand the administrative role in special education programs and services
Understand procedures utilized in screening, assessing, and placing students
in special education programs
Understand programming needs of all exceptional children and youth
Understand the evaluation process for special education students and
personnel
Describe a variety of instructional methods that can be used with exceptional
pupils (b 1 D)*
Apply an instructional method to an instructional objective (b 1 E)
Understand budgeting to provide instructional services for students in one of
the special education areas (b 5 F)*
Understand a written local comprehensive plan for the provision of special
education and related services
*Numbers in parentheses following an objective refer to the Kansas Standards and
Outcome Statements and Criteria listed in the Kansas Certification and Teacher
Education Regulations Handbook.
Instructional Resources
Required text for SSLS 855 Administration and Supervision of Special Education:
Bateman, David and Bateman, C., Fred. (2001) A Principal’s Guide to Special Education
Arlington, VA: Council of Exceptional Children. ISBN 0-86586
Students will need to have access to the internet to either read the
Kansas Process Handbook online or be able to print a copy for their files.
Kansas Special Education Process Handbook: http://www.kansped.org/
Missouri Special Education Handbook:
http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced/compliance/index.html
Handouts distributed during class as well as other resources provided by the instructor.
Teaching Strategies
Teaching strategies will include class discussion, lectures, writing projects, cooperative
learning experiences, case studies, oral presentations, and team projects. A portion of the
student contact time may be online, utilizing Angel.
Grading
Assignments are to be submitted through ANGEL; feedback and grades are also posted
using the ANGEL system. Students may have an opportunity to re-work and re-submit
an assignment one time without grade penalty, however there must be an established
time-line for completion. This is to give the student an opportunity to demonstrate
mastery at a level acceptable for course completion.
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 through ANGEL on the due date. 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.
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.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory since the majority of information will be presented through
lectures, class discussions, and class activities. In addition, professional reliability is one
of the outcomes of the teacher education program. 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 Blackboard site.
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. Please refer to the catalog for
the university policy on academic dishonesty. You are expected to do and submit your
work and not that of others.
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.
Course Content
SSLS 855 will focus on the following topics:
 Special education law
 Role of the principal
 Process of identification, evaluation, and placement
 Specific disabilities
 Issues related to Least Restrictive Environment Principle
 Services, accommodations and modifications
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. An on-line assignment is to be completed and submitted through the Angel system.
Assignments and Evaluation
Final grade for SSLS 855 will be based on the following:
Assignment
Due Date
Participation
On-going
Interview Report
September 24
Reflection Paper
October 8
Confidentiality Project
November 5
Collaboration Project Presentation
November 19
Problem Solving Story Board Presentation
December 10
Final Exam
December 17
Total Points
Grade
A
B
C
Points
450-500
400-449
350-399
Points
Expected
50 points
100 points
50 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
500 points
Percentage of Points
90-100
80-89
70-79