Director of Special Education. Professional Certification

Transcription

1 Director of Special Education Professional Certification 16 KAR 2:010 Kentucky Teaching Certificates 16 KAR 1:020 Professional code of ethics for Kentucky school certified personnel 16 KAR 3:040 Director of special education Graduate Catalog: September 2008/Revised June 2010 EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate for Director of Special Education Page 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PROGRAM EXPERIENCES A. Content Standards B. KERA Initiatives C. EPSB Themes D. Program Faculty E. Syllabi F. Curriculum Contract/Guide sheet EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate for Director of Special Education Page 2

3 PROGRAM EXPERIENCES Curriculum Requirements The Department of Special Education offers a professional, Level II certificate program for Director of Special Education. Each candidate takes 15 hours of required course work (EAD 801: Introduction to School Leadership and Administration, SED 810: Special Education Statues, Regulations, and Case Law, SED 814: Special Education Consultation and Supervision Techniques, and SED 816: Practicum in Special Education Administration). In addition, prerequisite courses must be complete prior to admission to this program. Those courses include SED 775: Nature and Needs of Exceptional Students or 800: Exceptional Learners in the Regular Classroom, SED 790: Applied Behavior Analysis, SED 886: Seminar in Special Education, and either SED 356: Methods and Materials in Special Education, 793: Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Disorders, 804: Educational Management of Learning and Behavior Disorders, 806: Advanced Assessment and Methods for Moderate and Severe Disabilities, or 809: Diagnostic and Prescriptive Teaching of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This program is designed to offer educators with at least three years of experience and current Kentucky certification in the areas of exceptional children or school psychology the opportunity to receive advanced training in special education law, educational leadership, consulting, and supervisory techniques. The program culminates with a 6 credit hour practicum experience that allows candidates to apply new skills and knowledge in practical settings. The students are placed in an adjoining county with a certified Special Education Director for the practicum and are supervised on site by the university faculty member. For the Professional Certification for Director of Special Education Program, candidates must enroll in SED 816 (the culminating practicum course) within three years of completing SED 810 and SED 814. All required courses (EAD 801, SED 810, 814, and 816) must be completed within 5 years to ensure information and practices are current. The prerequisite courses and experience address literacy education and other content area information. Program coursework is delivered through on-campus face-toface classes except for practicum. Relationship to the Conceptual Framework The Director of Special Education Professional Certificate program subscribes to the College of Education s Conceptual Framework. The model focuses on the integration of content knowledge, effective pedagogical skills, dispositions, technology and diversity that foster continued professional and personal development and learning. The foundation that enables a graduate of the certificate program to work effectively in the field is based on the acquisition of content knowledge embedded in the curriculum. The opportunities candidates have to participate in virtual, in-class, and field experiences and to practice their pedagogical skills enhance this knowledge. Built into this framework is the idea that leadership and management skills and content knowledge allows candidates to maintain certain perceptions about themselves, EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate for Director of Special Education Page 3

4 students, and their work environment. Candidates are encouraged throughout the program to assess their dispositions related to special education and reflect on their abilities, interests, and performance in the educational setting. Candidates are knowledgeable of integrating technology into instruction to enhance teaching and learning and are able to support learning for all students across an increasingly diverse student population. Graduates of the program recognize the need to be life-long learners, understanding that to be effective speech-language pathologists that their knowledge base must continue to be updated and their skills refined. Relevant information concerning cultural diversity is integrated into all course syllabi to assist candidates in their understanding and appreciation of the wide array of differences between and among individuals in our society. Relationship to Continuous Assessment The Director of Special Education Professional Certificate program utilizes all possible assessment / data collection techniques available and instituted at the College and University levels through Banner, Degree Audit, Task Stream and TracDat. The program houses assessment in Task Stream and regularly updates, according to the continuous assessment schedule, tools, data and data analysis information in TracDat and in the Professional Education Continuous Assessment Plan (PECAP). Assessment and Monitoring of Candidate Progress Each program candidate is required to apply for the program via the Eastern Kentucky University Graduate School. They must meet all admission requirements for Clear admission by completing all required prerequisites for the program. Each candidate must also meet all department program requirements to become admitted into this program. Advanced candidates progress through a continuous assessment procedure that includes three transition points. This procedure was designed to ensure that they have acquired the necessary pedagogical skills, content knowledge and dispositions experiences throughout their program. Transition points are: Admission, a Program Check and Program Completion. After admission into the program, candidates receive a letter from their assigned program advisor and they then meet with their advisor. The program advisor provides assistance to help the candidate s progression throughout the program and to help each candidate make course registration decisions that will best meet her/his goals and needs. The process is formalized by requiring the candidate and advisor to sign a plan program that is submitted to the College of Education dean s office and filed with the program advisor. With information provided via the university s student information system and communications from the university s Graduate School, the advisor monitors the candidate s progress and assists as needed. As per program policy, candidates follow their programs of study and confer with advisors to help them to monitor their own progress. Before the candidate enters into the last course, the program advisor performs a program check. This check provides information to the advisor and the candidate concerning course completion EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate for Director of Special Education Page 4

5 and program GPA. If this program check finds an area that must be addressed, the candidate is informed and remedial action is requested. Upon completion of the program, each candidate must complete all course requirements with a program GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with no grade lower than a C.. The program advisor sends a completed program form to the College of Education s Certification office. This office collects all candidate program information and determines if the candidate is eligible for recommendation for the addition of an Director of Special Education Professional Certification. This recommendation is than sent to the Kentucky Professional Education Standards Board. Alignment to Standards All program requirements and course content are aligned with the Eastern Kentucky University s Goals, College of Education s Conceptual Framework, the Kentucky Education Professional Standard Board s Teacher Standards Advanced Level, and the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board Themes. Candidates in the Director of Special Education Professional Certification Program must demonstrate that they have successfully completed specific course requirements prior to admission to the program. These specific course requirements address research-based, best practices for literacy and content learning within their area of special education. Candidates whose transcripts do not reflect these required courses are required to complete those courses prior to their practicum experiences in SED 816. The Director of Special Education program addresses literacy education by ensuring that candidates have completed this required coursework either prior to admission or prior to completion of the program. Candidates in the Director of Special Education Professional Certification Program must go through a series of assessments throughout the program to ensure that they have acquired the necessary skills and experiences to become effective Director s of Special Education as defined by the listed goals, framework, standards and themes. Assessments include the following: the Program GPA and satisfactory completion of all required course work. This alignment is also reflected in common course syllabi as reflected in the tables that follow. In summary, the graduate Director of Special Education Professional Certification Program provides persons holding valid certification and with a minimum of three years experience in the areas of exceptional children or school psychology with the opportunity to continue their growth and development as professional educators by becoming certified as a Director of Special Education. This program addresses standards established by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board and by national learned societies/professional organizations. This is reflected in common course syllabi as well as the tables that follow. EAD 801: Introduction to School Leadership and Administration. The study of modern administrative theories, practices and techniques in school leadership and administrative responsibilities. Emphasis will be upon facilitating leadership to create an organizational climate supportive of excellence in teaching and learning. EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate for Director of Special Education Page 5

6 SED 810: Special Education Statutes, Regulations and Case Law. A study of the administrative responsibilities of special education leadership with the understanding of the field of special education, related federal and state law, administrative regulations, instructional arrangements, grant writing and budget. SED 814: Special Education Consultation and Supervision Techniques. Consulting and supervisor services, recruitment, selection and utilization of support services, evaluation of personnel in special education and programs; staff development; and mediation techniques. SED 816: Practicum in Special Education Administration. Supervised experiences in providing consultation services and performing all of the other functions of director of special education including procedures and policies, record keeping, utilization of support services, staff development and due process. CEC Advanced Content Standards Technology Standards for School Administers Educational Leadership Policy Standards EAD 801 Leadership and Policy Leadership and Vision 1,5,6 Research and Inquiry Productivity and Professional Practice Social, Legal and Ethical Issues SED 810 Leadership and Policy Leadership and Vision 1,5,6 Research and Inquiry Productivity and Professional Practice Social, Legal and Ethical Issues SED 814 Student and Program Evaluation Professional Development and Ethical Practice Collaboration Learning and Teaching Productivity and Professional Practice Support, Management, and Operations 1,2,3,4 SED 816 Program Development and Organization Productivity and Professional Practice 2,3,4,5,6 Assessment and Evaluation EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate for Director of Special Education Page 6

7 Support, Management and Operations EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate for Director of Special Education Page 7

8 III. Program Experiences Relationship to the Conceptual Framework CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ELEMENTS CF1: Knowledge Element - Enables candidates to construct understanding of the complexity and richness of the teaching/learning process. CF2: Pedagogical Skills - Enables the professional educator to facilitate learning for all students. CF3: Dispositions - Includes the professional attitudes, values and beliefs that support student learning and development. CF4: Technology - Focuses on preparing candidates who are able to use educational technology to help all students learn. CF5: Diversity - Reflects the Unit s commitment to preparing candidates to support learning for all students K- Basic Knowledge, A- Application, PA- Portfolio Artifact, KA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6- Key Assessments COURSES CF1 CF2 CF3 CF4 CF5 EAD 801 K - K, A, KA 3 - K, A SED 810 K, A, KA1 K K KA 2, A K, A, KA2c SED 814 K, KA 1 K K - K SED 816 A A A - A Total = 15 hours Relationship to Kentucky Teacher Standards Advanced TEACHER STANDARDS (February 2008) Look at the online document for Initial and Advanced Level IInformation STANDARD 1: THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES APPLIED CONTENT KNOWLEDGE STANDARD 2: THE TEACHER DESIGNS AND PLANS INSTRUCTION STANDARD 3: THE TEACHER CREATES AND MAINTAINS LEARNING CLIMATE STANDARD 4: THE TEACHER IMPLEMENTS AND MANAGES INSTRUCTION STANDARD 5: THE TEACHER ASSESSES AND COMMUNICATES LEARNING RESULTS STANDARD 6: THE TEACHER DEMONSTRATES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TECHNOLOGY STANDARD 7: REFLECTS ON AND EVALUATES TEACHING AND LEARNING STANDARD 8: COLLABORATES WITH COLLEAGUES/PARENTS/OTHERS EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate Director of Special Education Page 8

9 STANDARD 9: EVALUATES TEACHING AND IMPLEMENTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARD 10: PROVIDES LEADERSHIP WITHIN SCHOOL/COMMUNITY/PROFESSION K- Basic Knowledge, A- Application, PA- Portfolio Artifact, KA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6- Key Assessments COURSES TS1 TS2 TS3 TS4 TS5 TS6 TS7 TS8 TS9 TS10 EAD K K - - SED 810 K, A, KA2c, A, A, K KA 6 A KA6 KA 6 SED 814 KA K K K K K A SED 816 A A A A A A A Total = 15 hours Relationship to EKU Goals EKU GOALS EKU-G1. To promote and support an inclusive climate that respects and celebrates diversity by attracting, developing and educating a diverse student, faculty, and staff population. EKU-G2. To continuously assess and improve the services and infrastructure of the University to support and maintain high quality programs. EKU-G 3. To promote learning through high quality programs, research, and support services. EKU-G4. To develop and enhance an environment facilitating intellectual curiosity, cultural opportunities and problem-solving abilities for members of the University community. EKU-G5. To increase and enhance external and internal constituency engagement, while maintaining a connection with the southeastern region of Kentucky. COURSES EKU-G1 EKU G2 EKU-G3 EKU-G4 EKU-G5 EAD 801 X X X X X SED 810 X - X X - SED 814 X - X X - SED 816 X - X X - Total = 15 hours EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate Director of Special Education Page 9

10 A. Content Standards (SPA) Council For Exceptional Children (CEC) CEC Standard CEC Course P/N Description Administrator Standard 9 Standards 1, 2, 5 EAD 801 Introduction to School Leadership and Administration. (3) I, II. The study of modern administrative theories, practices, and techniques in school leadership and administrative responsibilities. Emphasis will be upon facilitating leadership to create an organizational climate supportive of excellence in teaching and learning. Standards 1, 7, 8, 10 Standards 1, 2, 5, 6 SED 810 Special Education Statutes, Regulations, and Case Law. (3) A. A study of the administrative responsibilities of special education leadership with emphasis on the understanding of the field of special education, related federal and state laws, administrative regulations, instructional arrangements, grant writing and budget. Standards 9, 10 Standards 1, 2, 5, 6 SED 814 Special Education Consultation and Supervision Techniques. (3) A. Consulting and supervisory services; recruitment, selection, and utilization of support services, evaluation of personnel in special education and programs; staff development ; and EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate Director of Special Education Page 10

11 mediation techniques. Standard 9 Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 6 SED 816 Practicum in Special Education Administration. (6) A. Prerequisites: SED 810, 814, and EAD 801 or department chair approval. Supervised experiences in providing consultation services and performing all of the other functions of director of special education including procedures and policies, record keeping, utilization of support services, staff development, and due process. Summary of Council for Exceptional Children Standards: Standard 1: Foundations Standard 2: Development and Characteristics of Learners Standard 3: Individual Learning Differences Standard 4: Instructional Strategies Standard 5: Learning Environments and Social Interactions Standard 6: Language Standard 7: Instructional Planning Standard 8: Assessment Standard 9: Professional and Ethical Practice Standard 10: Collaboration Summary of Council for Exceptional Children Standards for Special Education Administrators Standard 1: Leadership and Policy Standard 2: Program Development and Organization EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate Director of Special Education Page 11

12 Standard 3: Research and Inquiry Standard 4: Individual and Program Evaluation Standard 5: Professional Development and Ethical Practice Standard 6: Collaboration B. KERA Initiatives COURSES KTIP KPIP SBDM SPECIAL ED ARC LAW EAD X X - SED X X SED 814 X - - X SED 816 X - X X X C. EPSB Themes: K- Basic Knowledge, A- Application, PA- Portfolio Artifact, KA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6- Key Assessments COURSES Diversity Technology Literacy Code of Leadership Education Ethics **Candidates must meet pre-requisite course requirements that would address literacy learning for students with disabilities. School Safety Education EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate Director of Special Education Page 12

13 Candidates who do not meet these course requirements are required to TAKE those prerequisite courses prior to completion of the DoSE program. K, A EAD 801 K K - - K K SED 810 K KA 2c, A - K K, A, KA 6 SED 814 K - - K A SED 816 A A - A A EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate Director of Special Education Page 13

14 D. Program Faculty information may be accessed at: E. Syllabi may be accessed at: F. Curriculum Contract/Guidesheet: DegreeWorks matches candidates academic and course history against the degree requirements as defined in the Undergraduate or Graduate Catalog. It is a Web-based tool for students to monitor their academic progress toward degree completion. DegreeWorks also allows candidates and their advisors to plan future academic coursework. A DegreeWorks audit is a review of past, current and "planned" coursework that provides information on completed and outstanding requirements necessary to complete a degree/major/minor/concentration. The information in DegreeWorks is refreshed each night. Admission and Exit criteria are maintained in University Catalogs. Portfolio requirements are distributed during initial education classes and are reinforced throughout the program. The sample at this link is a snap-shot of the DegreeWorks electronic web-based tool provided for re-accreditation purposes only. The University does not endorse or maintain a hard copy degree planned program. ADDITIONAL REFERENCES Professional Education Continuous Assessment Plan Conceptual Framework Key Assessments See PECAP under Assessment System Assessments-Index EKU Graduate Program Review Documents: Professional Certificate Director of Special Education Page 14