Department Special Education UNIVERSITY of ALASKA ANCHORAGE. Special Education Department Handbook

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1 Department Special Education UNIVERSITY of ALASKA ANCHAGE Special Education Department Handbook

2 College of Education Core Values Intellectual Vitality Professional educators examine diverse perspectives, engage in research and scholarship, contribute to knowledge and practice, and apply innovations in technology Collaborative Spirit- Professional educators generate, welcome, and support the collaborative relationships and partnerships that enrich people's lives Inclusiveness and Equity Professional educators create and advocate for learning communities that advance knowledge and ensure the development, support, and inclusion of peoples' abilities, values, ideas, languages, and expressions. Leadership Professional educators are committed to the highest standards of ethical behavior in their roles, using professional expertise to improve the communities in which they live and work, and demonstrating the ability to translate theories and principles into transformative educational practices

3 The Department of Special Education offers programs for individuals interested in becoming special educators. Graduates of our programs assume leadership roles in their local districts and the state; demonstrate a commitment to inclusiveness and equity in their interactions with children with diverse needs; serve as exemplars of a collaborative spirit as they interact with other educators, families and community agencies; and model intellectual vitality as they examine and implement research and best practices in their work settings. Our Mission The mission of the Special Education program to prepare graduate students for teaching roles that support the educational growth and development of children with exceptional learning needs K 12 and to provide foundational coursework and research experiences designed to prepare and support graduate students in special education. This mission is consistent with the mission of the College of Education and emphasizes innovation, excellence, and collaboration. Program Options Special Education with Initial Certification Option: This option is for individuals with baccalaureate degrees who are not certified teachers, but have professional experience working with children with exceptionalities. Special Education Endorsement Option, Graduate Certificate: This option is for currently certificated teachers who wish to add a special education endorsement to an existing teaching certificate. Master s Degree in Special Education: The MEd is designed for individuals who desire advanced professional preparation in special education. The program encompasses theory, research, and practice relating to individuals with exceptional learning needs. Contact Us Brenda Henderson Adrainne Thomas Administrative Assistant Program Coordinator bshenderson@uaa.alaska.edu cathomas11@uaa.alaska.edu Mailing Address: University of Alaska Anchorage College of Education Professional Studies Building 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage AK Website:

4 Student Learning Outcomes: Student learning outcomes for the Special Education Graduate Certificate program are based on the professional standards of the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) located at Students who complete this program will be able to: 1. Utilize a variety of assessments to identify specific areas of student strengths and weaknesses and use the results to guide instruction 2. Individualize instruction to meet the specific needs of students with disabilities in inclusive settings 3. Support and promote inclusiveness and equity for students with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds 4. Apply the legal and ethical principles associated with special education 5. Promote a positive social environment for all students, particularly those with significant emotional and/or behavioral disorders 6. Develop and maintain an atmosphere of collaboration with teachers, parents, administrators, and paraprofessionals 7. Critically analyze and apply principles of research 8. Demonstrate literacy regarding theoretical perspectives associated with human development and learning Admission Requirements: 1. Certification Option I (Initial Teacher Certification) a. Provide documentation on passing scores on the PRAXIS I or Praxis Core Academics Skills for Educators or other EED-approved basic skills test. b. Complete 15 credits of prerequisites. c. Hold a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree. d. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. e. One year of appropriate, recent experience with children experiencing disabilities at the developmental level in which the special education endorsement is sought. 2. Certification Option II (Special Education Endorsement) a. Proof of a current State of Alaska teaching certificate b. Hold a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree c. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

5 Program Requirements: Gate I: 15 credits of prerequisite courses. This option is for applicants who have a baccalaureate degree and are seeking their initial teaching certificate in Special Education. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of B and pass PRAXIS I, Praxis Core or other EED approved test in order to progress to the 600 level graduate certificate courses. Prerequisite Courses Course Name Credits Term Taken / Notes EDSE A212 PSY A365 EDFN A300 EDFN A304 R Human Development and Learning Child and Adolescent Development Philosophical and Social Context of American Education Comparative Education MATH A211 Math for Elementary Teachers 3 EDSE A482 Inclusive Classrooms for All Children 3 EDSE Language and Literacy: Assessment and 3 A483 R Interventions 3 EDFN A301 Foundations of Literacy and Language *Sample schedules Semester 1 Semester 2 Development Total Credits EDSE A212 (3) EDFN A300 (3) EDSE A482 (3) 9 credits MATH A211 (3) EDSE A483 (3) Fall Spring Summer EDSE A212 (3) EDFN A300 (3) MATH A211 (3) EDSE A482 (3) EDSE A483 (3)

6 Gate II: Core Coursework Option I Special Education Initial Certification: 24 credits of core coursework. This option is for applicants seeking an initial certification in special education. Prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to taking the core coursework. Option II Special Education Endorsement: 24 credits of core coursework. This option is for applicants seeking a special education endorsement on an existing teaching certificate. Prerequisite courses are not required. Core Coursework Course Name 18 Term Taken / EDSE A610 Clinical Assessment: Eligibility and Program Planning Credits 3 Notes Fall EDSE A623 Language & Literacy: Best Practices in Assessment & 3 Fall/Summer EDSE A624 Intervention Social/Emotional Development, Assessment, and Intervention 3 Fall EDSE A625 Teaching Mathematics to Special Learners 3 Spring EDSE A632 Special Education Law: Principles and Practices 3 Spring/Summer EDSE A635 Differentiation of Instruction Across School & Community 3 Spring Settings Internship Coursework 6 Credits EDSE A695E Advanced Internship in Special Education: Elementary 6 Fall and Spring EDSE A695S Advanced Internship in Special Education: Secondary Total Credits 24 *Sample schedules Fall Spring Fall Spring EDSE A610 (3) EDSE A623 (3) EDSE A624 (3) EDSE A625 (3) EDSE A632 (3) EDSE A635 (3) EDSE A695E/S (3) EDSE A695E/S (3) 9 credits 9 credits Fall Spring Fall EDSE A610 (3) EDSE A623 (3) EDSE A624 (3) 9 credits EDSE A625 (3) EDSE A632 (3) EDSE A635 (3) 9 credits EDSE A695E/S (6) * *Full time for those not currently employed

7 Fall Spring Summer Fall Spring EDSE A610 (3) EDSE A624 (3) EDSE A625 (3) EDSE A635 (3) EDSE A623 (3) EDSE A632 (3) EDSE A695E/S (3) EDSE A695E/S (3) Gate III Masters of Education in Special Education: 3 total. Requires 12 credits beyond the 24 credits of core coursework in Gate II, or by advisement. Research Course Work Course Name 6 Credits Term Taken / EDRS A660 Fundamentals of Research in Education 2 Notes EDRS A 4 credits of Research in Education 4 Elective Coursework 24 Credits 24 credits of elective by advisement. These elective credits can be courses taken during the Graduate Certificate in Special Education. Core Coursework 6 Credits EDSE A622 Theories and Strategies 3 Fall EDSE A633 Autism: Communication and Social Disorders 3 Summer/Spring *Sample schedules Fall EDSE A622 (3) EDRS A660 (2) 5 credits Spring EDSE A633 (3) EDRS A66_ (2) EDRS A66_ (2) 7 credits Summer Fall Spring EDSE A633 (3) EDSE A622 (3) EDRS A660 (2) 5 credits EDRS A66_ (2) EDRS A66_ (2) 4 credits

8 Internship Placement: Three of the four core program courses should be completed before entering into the internship courses. All candidates are responsible to apply for internship placement by the published deadlines. DO NOT contact any teacher, school, or organization regarding any placement! Candidates cannot request a school where a spouse, significant other, child or relative attend or work. The application for internship can be found at Degree Works: Candidates can track their progress towards degree completion, track petitions and advising notes by using DegreeWorks through UAOnline Services. Background Check Requirements Information on background checks can be found under Field Placements located on the College of Education website at Institutional Recommendation Following are the requirements for an institutional recommendation for a special education certificate or endorsement. The candidate must have: 1. Completed all applicable prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B. Completed all required courses with a minimum overall GPA of 3.00, with no grade lower than a C. 2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or foreign equivalent. 3. Completed internships and professional portfolio documenting attainment of CEC standards. 4. Passed applicable examinations. For candidates in Certification Route I, passing scores on the Praxis I, Praxis Core or other EED-approved basic skills examination, and the Praxis II are required. The passing scores are established by EED. Elementary special education teacher candidates must take one of the Praxis II examinations designated for elementary teachers. Secondary special education teacher candidates must take one of the Praxis II examinations in Mathematics, English, Science, or Social Studies. Alaska certification note: The institutional recommendation for an initial certificate with a special education endorsement (Certification Route I) will be at the level of the internship. The institutional recommendation for special education endorsement (Certification Route II) on an existing teaching certificate will be at the level of that certificate. EED may have additional requirements for certification/endorsement. For those graduates receiving an initial certificate (Certification Route I), prior to advancing to the professional certificate, EED requires completion of of approved Alaska studies coursework

9 and of approved multicultural/cross-cultural communications coursework. See the EED web site for more information: If you wish to proceed on to the MEd in Special Education you must apply to graduate with your Graduate Certificate by going to: Once you have applied to graduate with your Graduate Certificate then you may apply for the MEd in Special Education through UAA admissions and stop at the payment page and notify the department. You must also reapply to the Counseling and Special Education Department as a continuing Grad Cert student. Before graduating with your MEd in Special Education you also must apply for your Institutional Recommendation from the Graduate Certificate by going to this link: and following Step 1: Apply for an Institutional Recommendation (IR). Please be aware that an institutional recommendation is not processed until your program has been completed and your degree has been posted. ~Diplomas are printed at the end of each month. You will receive correspondence, through your student UAA account, when your diploma is ready for pick-up at Enrollment Management, One Stop Student Services in the University Center. If you are unable to pick up your diploma fill out the mail diploma form. ~When requesting your transcript, we recommend waiting until the Institutional Recommendation is completed in order to allow the posting of the NCATE accreditation notation. Ordering transcripts early will result in no CAEP accreditation notation, which is a requirement of the state. Check your unofficial transcript through UAOnline to see if the CAEP posting has been applied, then order an official transcript. Communications via The UA Student Gmail account is the university s preferred method of contacting candidates. Candidates can set their UA student Gmail account so that is forwarded to another account. It is the candidate s responsibility to forward their UA student Gmail account to another . Program Delivery Since the majority of graduate course work includes distance delivery by Blackboard ( and Blackboard Collaborate web meetings, candidates will need access to the Internet and a headset with microphone. Candidates must have the technological knowledge and skills to engage in distance learning. Electronic Portfolios

10 TaskStream is a comprehensive web-based resource and storage system for students to collect, store and post work that will form the basis for an electronic portfolio, which is an exit requirement for most College of Education programs. Students are responsible for purchasing a subscription to TaskStream just as students are responsible for purchasing books. Students can purchase subscriptions to TaskStream directly from TaskStream at click on subscribe (across the top).