EDL 654- Special Education Finance (3 credits)
Syllabus of Record
Prerequisites:
None
Catalog Description: Review and analysis of special education funding sources and
formulas at the local, state, and national levels. School finance and special education
funding will be highlighted. Financial management will be discussed with a focus on
budgeting, accounting, auditing, reporting, support services and 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
SA1K3
Local, state, and national fiscal policies and funding mechanisms in education,
social, and health agencies as they apply to the provision of services for
individuals with exceptional learning needs and their families
SA1S3
Develops a budget in accordance with local, state, and national laws in
education, social, and health agencies for the provision of services for
individuals with exceptional learning needs and their families
Standard 6: Collaboration
ACC6S2
Apply strategies to resolve conflict and build consensus
SA6S3
Develops and implements intra- and interagency agreements that create
programs with shared responsibility for individuals with exceptional learning
needs and their families
SA6S7
Engages in leadership practices that support shared decision making
Objectives:
At the end of the course, the candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in
the following areas:
- History of educational funding in Michigan
- Relationship between the business office and the special education administration of a
school district
- Major types of special education funding formulas and the advantages/disadvantages of
each
- Impact of finance formulas on program decisions
- Complexities of increasing special education costs
- Basic sources of revenue that support special education in Michigan
- Relationship among budgeting, accounting, reporting and auditing of school district special
education expenditures
- Development of a marketing plan for a special education millage campaign
Major Topics:
Sources and Distribution of Federal, State and Local Revenues to Schools
Budgeting, Accounting, Reporting and Auditing of District Special Education Funds
Financial Implications of Special Education Programs and Services Management
Millage Campaign Planning
Methods of Evaluation:
40%- ISD Budget Reduction Proposal (Key Assessment)
45%- Final Examination
15%- Participation and in class assignments
Suggested Text:
Coursepack