SPED 200

Course Requirements for Sped 200:
     1.  Each student is expected to attend class regularly and participate in class discussions and activities.  Attendance will be taken each class meeting.  Please contact me or leave a message (549-3426 or 549-2214) PRIOR to any class you are unable to attend.  Class will not meet on days designated for Distance Learning (DL).

     2.  Each student is responsible for ALL Chapter readings, distance learning lessons, class lectures, and activities.  They are to be completed prior to the class discussion of the assigned chapter.

    3. Examinations: (250 points)
      Five examinations, each with a value of 50 points, will be given.
                 Exam I:      History of Special Education, Chapters 1 & 2
                 Exam II:     Chapters 3 & 4
                 Exam III:    Chapters 5, 6, & 7
                 Exam IV:   Chapters 8, 9, 10, & 11
                Exam V:     Chapters 12, 13, & 15 and comprehensive application and
                                      general knowledge of special education

      MAKE UP EXAMS WILL NOT BE GIVEN unless prior arrangement has been made.

    4.  Assignments:
               A. 10-Hour Participation/Observation Block (75 points)
                    Each student will complete a 10-hour participation/observation block.  Each
          student will select a regular education teacher and a special education teacher
          who are currently working with students with disabilities.  Two hours of this block
          will be devoted to observation and the remaining eight hours will be child
          contact/participation hours.  Further details will be explained in class.

                    Students will keep and turn in a folder which will include the following 4       sections:

       1. Two, one-hour descriptive observations (10/75 points)
               (Forms will be provided)
            - One observation must be with a general education teacher who
                    serves special education students in his/her class.
            - One observation must be with a special education teacher in a
                    classroom serving students with disabilities.
            - Students will write a one full page description of EACH observation
                    (regular education teacher and special education teacher).  This
                    will be typed and double spaced.

       2.  Interviews.  (Sample formats will be provided). (16/75 points)
            - Interview the selected special education teacher (8/75 points).
            - Interview a student with a disability (8/75 points).
            - Students will write a one page report for each interview.  Reports must
                    be typed and double spaced.  Students will turn in a total of two
                    pages for this section.

      3.  Contact hours.  (20/75 points)
            - Provide a factual description of each session/contact hour with the
                    students in the special education classroom.   Forms will be
                    provided.  Add extra pages to describe activities if needed.
            - Each session must include date and time of the session and a list of
                    the activities that you completed.  Eight hours of contact time is
                    required.
            - Keep a cumulative record of time.
            - Include a letter of verification from the teacher(s) of the class in which
                    you participated.
            - Contact hour descriptions must be in legible handwriting and well-
                    organized.
            - This section does not have to be typed.
            - For confidentiality purposes, use initials or fictitious names when
                    referring to students.

       4.   Reaction.  (20/75 points)
                A reaction of your experience in the classroom.  This should be between
                       2 - 3 pages typed and double spaced.  Include:
                       - description of students in the classroom AND
                       - a critique of at least two of the following:
                                    Curriculum
                                    Teaching methods
                                    Behavior management
                                    Specific strengths and/or weaknesses displayed by the student
                                    Personal reaction

       5.   Written Expression (9/75 points)
                Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to express themselves
                   with complete thoughts in writing sentences and paragraphs using
                   correct spelling, grammar, and mechanics.

       6. Students will turn in to the instructor the above sections in the order
                 presented in the syllabus.  Place the Observation Block Grading Sheet
                 inside the folder but do not staple to the other sheets.  Attach all forms
                 and rough drafts at the end of each section.  Staple all pages together in
                 the top left hand corner (except the grading sheet) and place in a manila
                 folder with the student’s name, last name first, SPED 200 and Section #
                on the tab.  Vinyl report covers or binders will not be accepted.  All typing
                should be in Times Roman or Arial.  Please do not get creative on the
                presentation of this assignment!!  Points may be deducted for failing to
                follow the instructions.

 B. Group Presentation (65 points)
             The class will be divided into groups.  Group members will select a current       topic in the field of special education from a list provided by the instructor.
                1.   Each member of the group will write a one page summary of an article
                      on the group topic from a current special education journal.
                      Check my homepage for a link to "How to Find a Journal Article" if
                      necessary.
               2. The group will compile information from the member’s article summaries
                     into a three page double spaced paper (APA style).  Include common
                     points as well as conflicting data within the articles.
               3. A fourth page will be a reference list of the journal articles.  The
                     reference list will be in APA style.
               4. Attach a copy of all articles read by members of the group to the
                     summary.  Also attach individual summaries to their article.  They can be
                     in rough form.  Include individuals’ name on each article.
              5.  Group members will prepare an oral presentation and visual aid to be
                     presented to members of the class.  Presentations should be 12 - 15
                     minutes.  No longer than 15 minutes due to class time schedule.
              6. Each group member will evaluate the other members of the group on
                     their amount of participation for this project.  Everyone in the group is
                     responsible for completing this assignment.  Individual members of the
                     group will turn in the evaluation form in a SEALED ENVELOPE on the
                     day of the presentation.  All group member evaluations are confidential.
                     This evaluation will determine the individual participation grade.

 C.  Observations of two people with disabilities (10 points)
              - One page typed, double spaced summation on each of two observations of
                 persons with disabilities.   Observe 2 different disabilities.
              - Suggestions for observation:
                       What was the disability?
                       How did the disability affect their day to day activities?
                       What were they prohibited from doing because of the disability?
                       What accommodations were made for them?
                       How were they treated by others?

 D.  Daily Activities and Distance Learning Lessons
           All chapter readings and distance learning lessons should be completed prior to
          the discussion of the assigned chapter in class.  Pop tests may be given at the
          discretion of the instructor.  A workbook that accompanies the text is available in
          the bookstore and would be an asset in the preparation for class material.  Test
          material will be derived from text, class discussion, and distance learning
          lessons.  The website for DL is:  www.prenhall.com/heward.  After accessing
          the webpage, go to the bottom of the page and select the chapter you wish to
          study.  Complete the Objectives, Guided Review, and Multiple Choice in each
          chapter.  It is suggested that you print out each section, compile it into a binder,
          and refer to it during class discussion and in preparation for tests.  The Guided
          Review provides short answer questions covering sections of the chapter.  The
          Multiple Choice provides questions from the chapter as well as a text support
          that gives the page in the text that coincides with the information questioned.
          Both of these reviews offer grading of your answers.  By selecting “submit for a
          grade” the student will view their scores, as well as what the answer should be.
 

 
Grading Procedures:

                    5 Examination (50 points each)                      250
                    10-Hour Participation/Observation Block        75
                    Group Assignment                                             65
                     Observation of Disabilities                               10
                                    Total Points                                        400

 Final Grade will be based on the percentage of total points earned.

                          370 - 400 = A           93 - 100%
                          338 - 369 = B           85 - 92%
                          306 - 337 = C           77 - 84%
                          260 - 305 = D           66 - 76%
                          below 260 = F           below 66%

UNLESS PRIOR APPROVAL IS GRANTED FROM THE INSTRUCTOR, ALL
     ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TURNED IN ON ASSIGNED DATE OR FULL CREDIT
     CANNOT BE EARNED.   LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GRADED AS FOLLOWS:
                          1 - 7 days late           earned score will drop one letter grade
                          8 - 14 days late         earned score will drop two letter grades
                          15 - 21 days late       earned score will drop three letter grades
                          22 - 27 days late       earned score will drop four letter grades