Online Class: Introduction to Special Education

This innovative online special education course is for teachers wanting to update their professional skills, classroom assistants seeking more knowledge about the field and parents trying to understand how best to argue for equal opportunities in special education.

Self-Paced, Online Class

Library Subscription

20

Lessons
22

Exams &
Assignments
11

Hours
average time
1.1

CEUs
Video Audit
Available

Course Description

Empowering Through Special Education: A Comprehensive Journey

Dive into the world of Special Education with a course that champions not just the teaching methodologies but also the ethos of respect and empowerment that this field signifies. Special Education 101 seeks to dispel the myths surrounding disabilities, emphasizing the capabilities and potential inherent in every individual, rather than focusing on limitations.

Why is special education pivotal? Why, in a nation pledged to equal opportunities for all, is there a pressing need to ensure these rights for students with disabilities? Discover the transformative and revolutionary ideals underpinning special education. While the ideals are robust, the execution often lacks; this course delves deep into bridging that chasm.

The realm of special education in the U.S., despite its recent origin, has undergone momentous evolution. Celebrate its unique dynamism: where no two days are alike, and each student's journey is unparalleled. As highlighted by eminent scholars Douglas and Lynn Fuchs, special education stands distinct, enriched by its specialized resources, research-backed methodologies, and the accent on tailored instruction.

The course unfolds in three enlightening sections:

Delving into Disability: Traversing through history, from ancient civilizations to the contemporary era, understand the 13 categories of disability and acquaint yourself with the spectrum of gifted and talented students.
Foundations of Special Education Services: Decipher the legal framework underpinning special education, unraveling the services mandated by law. Adopt a holistic view, starting with interventions for infants to the crucial transition from high school to adult life.
Mastering Teaching Techniques: Immerse yourself in the nuances of teaching core subjects, addressing challenging behaviors, harnessing assistive technology, and exploring the realm of accommodations and modifications.

Perfect for educators looking to refresh their pedagogical toolkit, support staff wishing to delve deeper, and parents eager to advocate ardently for their child's rights. This course eliminates the constraints of geography and rigid timelines. Engage, learn, and evolve at your own pace. Propel forward in your quest for inclusive, compassionate, and effective education. Join us and be part of the movement advocating for true educational equity!

Notes:

1. In the lessons in this course, you will see the term "the student" referred to frequently. Rather than saying "he or she" each time, some lessons will say "he" and some will say "she."

2. You will also see the term "students with disabilities" used, although many educators in school settings use the term "special education students". Language is important and it is more respectful to recognize a person before the disability – talking about what a person HAS (a disability) rather than what a person IS (special education student). When you use the phrase "student with…" (autism, cognitive impairment, learning disability, etc.), you are using person-first language, which is considered a best practice in the field of disability.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:

Learning Disabilities: What You Need to Know

Autism 101

Areas of Study

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

"Extraordinarily Helpful"

(2,427 votes)

Lesson 1: An Early History of Disability
In this lesson, you will learn how disability was viewed in ancient times and how that view evolved through the mid-20th century.
Lesson 2: Special Education Evolves (1975-present day)
In this lesson, you will learn about the legislation and court cases that have formed special education in its current state in the U.S.
Lesson 3: High-Incidence Disabilities
Students with high-incidence disabilities comprise between 80% and 90% of all students with disabilities.
Lesson 4: Low-Incidence Disabilities
In this lesson, you will learn about low-incidence disabilities, those that affect a far smaller number of students.
Lesson 5: Gifted and Talented
In this lesson, you are going to learn about a different type of exceptionality than what has been discussed in prior lessons. Previously, you learned about students that have disabilities that adversely impact their educational progress.
Lesson 6: Individualized Education Programs
When a student is determined to be eligible for special education services, it is assumed that the student will have instruction that is specific to their needs.
Lesson 7: Inclusion and the Continuum of Services
In this lesson, you will learn about the potential range of placements that is also required by IDEA, which is the continuum of services.
Lesson 8: Early Intervention
In this lesson, you will learn about early intervention services that are designed for children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Lesson 9: Transition
In this lesson, you will learn about the concept of transition.
Lesson 10: Community-Based Instruction and Services
In this lesson, you are going to learn about community-based instruction and how it can be implemented effectively with students with disabilities.
Lesson 11: Working with Parents and Families
In this lesson, you will learn about the requirements for parental involvement in special education, the roles that parents play in special education, and strategies for involving parents in school.
Lesson 12: Culturally Responsive Practice
In this lesson, you will learn what culturally responsive practice looks like, a rationale for using culturally responsive practice, and the main competencies that teachers must have to be considered a culturally responsive educator.
Lesson 13: Making Accommodations and Modifications
In this lesson, you are going to learn about how these adjustments that teachers make to the learning environment, instruction, and assessments to help "level the playing field" for students with disabilities.
Lesson 14: Using Technology with Students with Disabilities
In this lesson, you will learn the benefits of using technology to support student learning, along with the role of assistive technology.
Lesson 15: Assessment in Special Education
In this lesson, you will learn about the various forms of assessments, their purposes, and examples of each.
Lesson 16: Teaching Reading, Language Arts, and Writing
Students with disabilities are often at risk for these consequences, as reading challenges are commonplace with this population. Therefore, effective reading instruction that is supported by research is a critical part of special education.
Lesson 17: Teaching Mathematics
In this lesson, you will learn about what math learning encompasses in PreK-12 schools.
Lesson 18: Addressing Challenging Behavior
In this lesson, you will learn the basic tenets of behavior, why students act out in the first place, types of behavior challenges that occur in classrooms, IEP requirements for students with behavior disorders, and ways to positively address challenging behavior.
Lesson 19: Teaching Students with Severe and Low-Incidence Disabilities
In this lesson, you will learn about typical school experiences and settings that are most common for students with severe disabilities, instructional strategies that are supported by empirical research, and knowledge and skills that students with severe disabilities need to learn.
Lesson 20: Becoming a Special Education Teacher
This lesson includes information that prospective special educators should know about teaching in this field, skills that exemplary special educators should have, the requirements that individuals must meet in order to become a special education teacher, and tips for new teachers.

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Describe the equal opportunity foundation.
Describe the emergence of equal opportunity ethics.
Describe legitimizing the equal opportunity ethic.
Describe equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
Summarize the three self-determination revolutions.
Describe equalizing educational opportunities for black students.
Describe applying the equal opportunity principle for students with disabilities.
Explain how equal opportunity affects self-determination.
Explain how special education affects students with disabilities.
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online

View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Course Title: Introduction to Special Education

Course Number: 9770591

Lessons Rating: 4.4 / 5 Stars (2,427 votes)

Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Category:

UniversalClass.com > Special Education > Learning Disabilities

Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.

Last Updated: September 2023

Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class

CEU Value: 1.1 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.

Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams

Instructor: UniversalClass Instructional Team

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Student Testimonials

"This course was very helpful because I work in Special Ed as a Paraprofessional. I would recommend it to everyone." -- Wendy B.
"This was such a beneficial class for me. Though I have been a Special Education Teacher for three years now, my program did not go into this amount of depth. I feel I can go back to teaching as a better teacher. Thank you so much!" -- Lisa S.
"This course was really helpful, it helps me to learn more about kids with disabilities and I think everyone should know all of it." -- Busin M.
"I thought this course was extremely helpful. It did a great job of starting with the timeline of special education. I liked the breakdown of information from high and low-incidence disabilities to IEPs, transition, assessments, etc. Again, I thought the course did a great job in helping me understand special education on a level that I can understand." -- Anna S.
"I think it is a very helpful course and gives great information on Special Education." -- Elizabeth T.
"This course was extremely helpful." -- Hayley R.
"I really enjoyed it very much!" -- Kimberly A.
"This has been a very helpful course." -- Katie K.
"The course contained a wealth of information on issues affecting special education. There was prompt feedback regarding questions that I had, as well as prompt reporting of test results. I felt that the instructor was very attentive to my progress in the course." -- Therese B.
"The lessons and texts provided were very comprehensive and informative." -- Therese B.