EDL 685CSpecial Education Director Field Practicum (3 credits)

Syllabus of Record

Prerequisites:

EDL 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 668, 677, 685B

Catalog Description: This course is a field-based experience designed to provide clinical experience for teaching or administration majors. Each practicum shall be no less than the minimum requirements set forth by state and accrediting agencies and must be met with approval by the appropriate program 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

ACC1K3Emerging issues and trends that potentially affect the school community and the mission of the school

Standard 2: Program Development and Organization

ACC2K4Prereferral intervention processes and strategies

Standard 3: Research and Inquiry

ACC3S1Identify and use the research literature to resolve issues of professional practice

SA3S3Joins and participates in professional administrative organizations to guide administrative practices when working with individuals with exceptional learning needs and their families

Standard 4: Individual and Program Evaluation

ACC4K1Evaluation process and determination of eligibility

ACC4K3Strategies for identifying individuals with exceptional learning needs

SA4K1Models, theories, and practices used to evaluate educational programs and personnel serving individuals with exceptional learning needs and their families

Standard 5: Professional Development and Ethical Practice

ACC5S6Develop and implement a personalized professional development plan

Standard 6: Collaboration

SA6S6Implements collaborative administrative procedures and strategies to facilitate communication among all stakeholders

SA6S8Consults and collaborates in administrative and instructional decisions at the school and district levels

Objectives:

Candidate will provide evidence of the completion of the following tasks:

Communication Plan (staff groups, parents, district administrators, colleagues)

Analysis of perceived role of director role by: LEA director, ISD director, superintendent

Analysis of general funding issues at the district level

Reporting of dispute resolution procedures and data at the ISD level

Analysis of MDE determinations for district on State Performance Plan Indicators

Research based project dealing with candidate selected legal issue

Mock interview for administrator position

Major Topics:

School and Community Relationships

Director Role Differences (urban v. suburban v. rural, ISD level v. LEA level)

Special Education Funding

Dispute Resolution

Michigan Continuous Improvement Monitoring System (CIMS)

Formulation of District Level Policies and Procedures

Methods of Evaluation:

20%- Mock Interview for director position

80%- Portfolio (Key Assessment)

Suggested Text:

None