Issues in Special Education

Doctor of Education

EDU 971

Breyer State University

Instructor: Catherine Moran, PhD.

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Issues in Special Education a doctorate level course in the curriculum for the Degree, Doctor in Education. I am pleased to instruct you in this course.
This is an upper level course that prepares you to work in the field of Special Education.  In this course you will study the critical issues in special education. 
I know you will enjoy this course. Please learn as much as you can as you progress through it, as it does lay down a solid foundation for the rest of the curriculum. It is my pleasure to have you in the course.

TIME FRAME: This is an (5) five-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your textbook has arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. Extensions of time are permitted if needed with my and/or departmental approval. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded five (5) semester hours of credit.

TEXTBOOKS: There is (1) required textbook for this course.

Book 1: “Critical Issues in Special Education – Access, Diversity and Accountability” by Audrey McCray Sorrells, Herbert J. Rieth and Paul T. Sindelar.  Prentice Hall Publishers.  ISBN:  0-205-34022-9

This book may be found in your local bookstore. Your local bookstore most often will order it as a special order for you if it is not in stock. Or, you may purchase this book online from:

	» Click Here to Enter
» Additional Student Resources at StudyTactics

EXAMINATIONS: No examination in this course

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:
90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a "chat" room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some scheduled group chats. You will receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary. If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT: There is a paper required for this course.  You are to write a paper on the topic of your choice on the issues in special education today. The requirements for the paper are as follows:

1). Cover page, with your name, course number and title, and title of paper.
2). A minimum of 25 pages.
3). 1-inch margins.
4). Double-spaced.
5). APA style format.
Breyer State University Approved Guidelines for Written Papers

Breyer State University requires adherence to its approved guidelines for any course that requires a written paper. Please access the link below and review the required criteria for required papers. If you have any questions, be sure to contact your instructor.

View Guidelines

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: I, Catherine Moran, Ph.D., currently teach undergraduate and graduate courses at Breyer State University and Canyon College. I hold Ph.D. in Education and a Master’s degree in Education from Breyer State University.  A Bachelor of Science from Kent State University with a major in Chemistry and Biology and Speech. I have worked in several hospitals as a Med. Tech. I lecture at conferences on “Assessing and Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities”. 

I am the Registrar of Breyer State University.   

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will:

1. Understand the foundational issues in special education.
2. Discuss the historical contexts in special education.
3. Discuss the contemporary legal issues in special education.
4. Discuss trends in placement issues.
5. Understand the multicultural perspectives in special education.
6. Understand intervention issues in special education.
7. Discuss the issues, trends and challenges in early intervention.
8. Discuss the issues in curriculum-based measurement.
9. Understand the instructional interventions for students with learning disabilities.
10. Discuss the transition issues.
11. Understand the contemporary issues in rehabilitation counseling.
12. Understand the importance of teacher education.
13. Discuss the leadership personnel in special education.
14. Discuss public policy in special education.

COURSE CONTENT – A brief abstract of content:

1. Historical contexts in special education.
2. Contemporary issues.
3. Classification issues.
4. Trends in placement issues.
5. Multicultural perspectives.
6. Challenges in early intervention.
7. Issues in curriculum-based measurement.
8. Instructional interventions
9. Sustainability of research-based practices.
10. Trends and issues in behavioral interventions.
11. Transitions issues.
12. Trends and issues in instructional and assistive technology.
13. Contemporary issues in rehabilitation counseling.
14. Teacher education.
15. Leadership personnel in special education.
16. Public policy and special education.

ASSIGNMENTS: For specific assignments, please click on the link "Assignments."

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions about the assignments or the course in general please feel free to e-mail me at the address provided or contact Breyer State at: cm@breyerstate.com

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