SpEd 510 Legal Aspects of Special Education (3 credits)

A thorough overview of the laws that govern the provision of special education services in the schools and their application in practice, the course focuses on recent changes in special education law and the implications for special educators. Using a seminar format, students discuss recent cases and situations in order to learn how to interpret and apply legal guidelines in different situations. Highly recommended for all special educators as an update since the reauthorization of IDEA and its application in public schools.

SpEd 563 Advanced Techniques of Reading (3 credits)

Primarily concerned with educational methods designed to teach students with severe to moderate response deficits of reading, this course answers these questions:

• Why do certain students have serious problems learning to read?
• How can I effectively teach students to decode words they do not know?
• How can I teach older students to read and use content-area textbooks more effectively?
• How do various reading curricular materials compare and which are best to use with students with reading disabilities?
• How can I meet the needs of language minority students in reading instruction?
• How can formal, informal, and nontraditional methods of assessment work together in diagnosing reading disabilities and planning appropriate instruction?

This course is taught during three Saturday class sessions and includes outside readings and web-based assignments.

SpEd 510 Teacher training of Paraprofessional Teams (3 credits)

Focus on research-based best practices in the training and supervision of educational assistants by special education teachers in K-12 schools. Learn a variety of strategies for organizing paraprofessional's work, establishing monitoring and documentation systems, providing training and feedback, and developing a staff team within the classroom or program. Examine your own and other teachers' issues and approaches to paraprofessional supervision.

SpEd 410/510 Mathematics Instruction for the Special Needs Learner (3 credits) online

Examine approaches to teaching mathematics to special needs learners. Review national standards for teaching mathematics and No Child Left Behind legislation as related to teaching students with special needs. Discover learning approaches and direct teaching approaches investigated. Math programs proven to be effective with the special needs population of students explored. Use of technology in supporting the teaching of mathematics includes use of computer software, calculators, and anchored instruction. Focus on a series of math strategies appropriate to the level at which student participant teaches or plan to teach.

The Autism Certificate of Completion

For course descriptions browse the website: www.ceed.pdx.edu/autism