Survey Of Special Populations –

spe514

(2 credits)

This course provides an overview of the categories of exceptionality for school-age students with special needs. The course focuses on differentiated methods and techniques used for the identification, assessment, and instruction of diverse populations. Historical perspectives and information related to special education law, and current policies and practices are examined.

This graduate-level course is 4 weeks. To enroll, speak with an Enrollment Advisor.

Topics and Objectives

Philosophy and Purpose – The Diverse Classroom
- Define educational equity.
- Assess inequities in classrooms and schools.
- Compare and contrast personal and societal attitudes toward diversity.
Terms and Definitions
- Examine terminology, acronyms, and language used in the field of diverse learning.
- Analyze definitions of diverse learners.
Legal Structures and Public Policy
- Analyze the federal, state, and local legal structures governing programs for students with special needs.
- Examine public policy and its impact on educational issues regarding students with special needs.
- Evaluate the impact of public policy on classroom practices.
- Discuss major laws and principles that address student and parent rights pertaining to student placements.
Categories of Special Needs
- Identify the characteristics, prevalence, causes, and identification processes associated with various special needs.
Assessment and Placement
- Examine tests used to determine students' abilities and functioning levels.
- Examine assessment practices and related issues in administering, scoring, and interpreting test results.
- Evaluate the types of tests that can be administered by school personnel.
- Describe the referral, evaluation, and staffing processes.
- Identify support services, personnel, community resources, and agencies available to provide educational resources.
Accommodation of Instruction and Classroom Management
- Analyze instructional strategies used in adapting learning activities to individual students' needs.
- Analyze strategies for adapting classroom management to individual students' needs.
Issues and Trends
- Analyze current trends and issues in education and their implications for diverse learners and for classroom teachers.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Advisor.
Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.

Survey Of Special Populations –

spe514

Philosophy and Purpose – The Diverse Classroom

Terms and Definitions

Legal Structures and Public Policy

Categories of Special Needs

Assessment and Placement

Accommodation of Instruction and Classroom Management

Issues and Trends

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