This course provides an overview of the various policies, procedures, and leadership practices that relate to the administration of quality early childhood programs. Topics include program development, budgeting and financial management, organizational structures, and staffing and supervision. The role of directors as leaders is explored. This course is designed for early childhood administrators, as well as for those aspiring to be directors. NOTE: Prior completion of EDC 713 Family and Community Relations in ECE and EDC 602 Learning and Early Childhood Environments is recommended.

This clinical course focuses on the tools and procedures involved in the evaluation and determination of education disabilities. Under the supervision of the district mentor, students review school records, observe an evaluation team meeting, consult with district evaluators, review a variety of assessment tools and evaluation reports, and develop the skills necessary to administrator and interpret some of the assessments commonly used by special education teachers. The culminating activity of the course is the development of a formal assessment report.

The current field of special education was established by law and further refined through the courts in litigation. In this writing intensive class, students trace the historical development of federal, state, and local laws and regulations such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the New Hampshire Standards for the Education of Students with Disabilities. Students will gain an understanding of the relationship between constitutional law, statutory law, regulatory law, and case law as it relates to current special education law. The focus on policies and procedures provides the background future teachers and paraprofessionals need to fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities and to understand the ever changing, complex nature of special education law.

In this course, students use procedures involved in the evaluation process for determination of eligibility for special education. Students develop the skills necessary to administer and interpret assessment tools commonly used by early intervention staff and early childhood special education teachers. Under the supervision of the district mentor, students review early support and services records and/or school records, gather information, observe an evaluation team meeting, consult with district evaluators, and review a variety of assessment tools and evaluation reports for young children through age eight. Students participate in preparing an assessment plan, administering chosen assessment tools, and writing assessment reports. Emphasis is placed on working with team members in the evaluation process.