Online Class: Special Education 101

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.

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20

Lessons
22

Exams &
Assignments
468

Students
have taken this course
11

Hours
average time
1.1

CEUs

Course Description

Special Education 101 explains why people with disabilities deserve respect rather than pity in their quest for full engagement in school and post school life, why special education is mandated by policy and law to meet the education needs of students with disabilities, how its goals are affected by the nation's commitment to equalize educational opportunities for this group of learners, the revolutionary basis of these equal opportunity goals, why an equalized educational experience should empower students with disabilities to be self-determined at school and beyond, and how current practice falls far short of these equal rights expectations.

Formal special education in the United States is quite a young field of education, with its beginning in the second half of the 20^th century. It is an intriguing field; no two students with disabilities are exactly alike and no school day in special education is the same as the one before. According to Douglas and Lynn Fuchs (1994), reputable researchers in the field of special education:

Special education is special because of its unique resources, its impact on student performance, and the effective teaching practices that mediate between resources and performance. Special education emphasizes individualized instruction, smaller classes, and more highly trained teachers and is supported by large amounts of research and development.

This course is divided into three sections. The first five lessons are an Introduction to Disability. In those lessons, you will investigate the history of disability, beginning in ancient times through the present day. You will also learn about the 13 categories of disability and which are the most and least frequently occurring. You will also learn about students that are gifted and talented.

The second five lessons are related to Setting Up Special Education Services. Those five lessons address federal special education law and the special education programming and services that are mandated by the law. A life-span approach is taken, as you will learn about early intervention for babies and toddlers with disabilities all the way through the transition from high school into adulthood.

The final ten lessons are related to Teaching Practice in Special Education. You will learn about teaching reading and mathematics, addressing challenging behavior, using assistive technology with students with disabilities, and the concept of accommodations and modifications, among other topics.

This self-paced online class is ideal 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. Be informed and inspired without the hassle of commuting or matching a pre-determined schedule. If you are a well-disciplined and motivated learner, you will thrive in our instructor-led environment.

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:

Behavior Management 101

Learning Disabilities: What You Need to Know

Early Childhood Development 101

Completely Online
Self-Paced
Printable Lessons
Full HD Video
6 Months to Complete
24/7 Availability
Start Anytime
PC & Mac Compatible
Android & iOS Friendly
Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

"Extraordinarily Helpful"

(2,238 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. Additional lesson topics: Disability History: Early and Shifting Attitudes of Treatment; Willowbrook Documentary 12 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video
Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: Why I'm Interested in Special Education
Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: Timeline of disability rights in the United States; Willowbrook Several Years Later; Disability Rights in the 1960s and 70s; A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement 10 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video
Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3: High-Incidence Disabilities

Students with high-incidence disabilities comprise between 80% and 90% of all students with disabilities. Additional lesson topics: Speech and Language Impairments; Types of Learning Disabilities; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Low and High Incidence Disability 10 Total Points

Lesson 3 Video
Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam

Lesson 4: Low-Incidence Disabilities

In this lesson, you will learn about low-incidence disabilities, those that affect a far smaller number of students. Additional lesson topics: Multiple Disabilities; Hearing Impairments; Emotional Disturbance; Intellectual Disability; Orthopedic Impairments 10 Total Points

Lesson 4 Video
Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: Who Are The 'Gifted and Talented' and What Do They Need?; What Does Being Gifted Really Mean? 10 Total Points

Lesson 5 Video
Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: Individualized Education Programs; The IEP Process Explained 10 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video
Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: The Continuum of Special Education Services; Understanding Diversity and Inclusion 10 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video
Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8: Early Intervention

In this lesson, you will learn about early intervention services that are designed for children with developmental delays and disabilities. Additional lesson topics: Early Intervention Part C of IDEA ; Several Benefits of Early Intervention 10 Total Points

Lesson 8 Video
Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Transition

In this lesson, you will learn about the concept of transition. Additional lesson topics: 5 Ways to Support Youth with Disabilities in Transition Planning; Middle and High School Transition Planning 10 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video
Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: The Importance of Community-Based Instruction for Individuals with Autism Across the Lifespan; Community-Based Instruction 10 Total Points

Lesson 10 Video
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: Working With Parents of Students With Disabilities 10 Total Points

Lesson 11 Video
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: Culturally responsive instruction for students with multiple or severe physical impairments; Several Ways Culturally Responsive Teaching Benefits Learners 11 Total Points

Lesson 12 Video
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students; The Difference Between Accommodations and Modifications 9 Total Points

Lesson 13 Video
Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: The Use Of Technology In Special Education; Several Assistive Technology Tools and Resources For Students With Disabilities 10 Total Points

Lesson 14 Video
Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15: Assessment in Special Education

In this lesson, you will learn about the various forms of assessments, their purposes, and examples of each. Additional lesson topics: NASET Assessment in Special Education Series; The Importance of the Assessment Process 10 Total Points

Lesson 15 Video
Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: English Language Arts Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities; Teaching Students with Reading Difficulties and Disabilities 10 Total Points

Lesson 16 Video
Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17: Teaching Mathematics

In this lesson, you will learn about what math learning encompasses in PreK-12 schools. Additional lesson topics: Strategies and Interventions to Support Students with Mathematics Disabilities; Adapting Mathematics Core Curricula to Meet the Needs of Students with Disabilities 10 Total Points

Lesson 17 Video
Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: Addressing Challenging Behavior – Introduction; Strategies to address challenging behavior in young children with Down syndrome 9 Total Points

Lesson 18 Video
Assessment: Lesson 18 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: The Persistence of Highly Restrictive Special Education Placements for Students With Low-Incidence Disabilities; Curriculum Access for Students with LowIncidence Disabilities: The Promise of Universal Design for Learning 10 Total Points

Lesson 19 Video
Assessment: Lesson 19 Exam

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. Additional lesson topics: How to Become a Special Education Teacher; Why I Became a Special Education Teacher 80 Total Points

Lesson 20 Video
Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments
Assessment: Lesson 20 Exam
Assessment: The Final Exam

271

Total Course Points

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: Special Education 101

Course Number: 9770591

Lessons Rating: 4.4 / 5 Stars (2,238 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: April 2022

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: Dr. Dennis Mithaug

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Course Fee: $90.00 U.S. dollars

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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.