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.

This clinical course focuses on the components and processes involved in the legal aspects and development of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Under the supervision of a district mentor, students review school records; observe IFSP/IEP team meetings; consult with district evaluators, students, and parents; analyze previously written IFSPs/IEPs and progress reports; and develop the skills necessary to prepare IFSPs/IEPs inclusive of transition plans and/or services. The culminating activities of the course include the development of an IFSP an IEP, and a research paper which addresses the legal/ethical considerations and implications in the development of IFSPs and IEPs. Fifty to sixty supervised clinical hours are required.

In this clinical course, students focus on STEM content, effective practice, instructional strategies, materials and curriculum integration, based on standards, inquiry, and connections to the real world. STEM concepts of curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking are researched and explored. Students will learn about the Scientific Method, as well as the roles of observation, classification, description, experimentation, application, and imagination. Students will learn how to use technology and interactive media in the early childhood classroom to support learning. The role of engineering in the curriculum will be investigated, including design of methods and ideas for product development. Students will understand and apply math process standards of problem-solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connection, and representation. The course emphasizes application of principles in order to investigate and create experiences which employ STEM concepts and teaching strategies.