EDUC& 204 Introduction to Inclusive Education (5 credits)

2. Recognize core concepts and values that are essential to special education including confidentiality, person-first language, family-centered and culturally responsive practice, natural environments, inclusion, and Least Restrictive Environments.

3. Identify the milestones of human development and risk factors that may impact development.

4. Explain the IFSP/IEP/504 /Transition Plan sequence as carried out in the general education setting.

5. Describe evidence-based techniques and adaptations for supporting culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse children and their families.

6. Evaluate personal qualities including bias, stereotyping, empathy, and professional ethics in regard to working with families of children with disabilities.

Degree Outcomes
Program Outcomes:

OUTCOME 1. PROMOTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING Students use their understanding of child development – including young children’s unique characteristics and needs, and the multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning – to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.

     1a: Describe young children’s diverse characteristics and needs, from birth through age 8.

     1b: Explain the multiple influences on early development and learning.

     1c: Use knowledge of child development to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children.

OUTCOME 2. BUILDING FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS Students articulate the complex characteristics of children’s families and communities and use this understanding to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and to engage all families in their children’s development and learning.

     2a: Describe diverse family and community characteristics.

     2b: Develop and implement strategies to support and engage families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.

     2c: Develop and implement plans to engage families and communities in young children’s development and learning.

OUTCOME 4. USING DEVELOPMENTALLY EFFECTIVE APPROACHES Students implement a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and positively influence each child’s development and learning, which will vary depending on children’s ages, characteristics, and the early childhood setting.

     4a: Discuss how supportive relationships and positive interactions are the foundation of their work with young children.

     4b: List and implement effective instructional and guidance strategies and tools for early education, including appropriate uses of technology.

     4c: Use a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning and guidance approaches.

     4d: Reflect on their own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child.

OUTCOME 6. BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL Students are collaborative learners who continuously demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective and critical perspectives of their work, make informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources, including ethical guidelines, and advocate for sound educational practices and policies.

     6a: Identify as a member of the early childhood field and become involved in the professional community.

     6b: Locate and apply ethical guidelines and other early childhood professional guidelines.

     6c: Engage in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice; using technology effectively with young children, with peers, and as a professional resource.

     6d: Integrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education into their work.

     6e: Engage in informed advocacy for young children and the early childhood profession.

Critical, Creative, and Reflective Thinking: Graduates will evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and generate ideas; construct informed, meaningful, and justifiable conclusions; and process feelings, beliefs, biases, strengths, and weaknesses as they relate to their thinking, decisions, and creations.

Effective Communication: Graduates will be able to exchange messages in a variety of contexts using multiple methods.

Multiculturalism: Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of diverse ideas, cultures, and experiences, and develop the ability to examine their own attitudes and assumptions in order to understand and work with others who differ from themselves.

Lecture Contact Hours 50
Lab Contact Hours 0
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 50

Potential Methods
A. Class discussion
B. Debate
C. Journal
D. Oral presentation
E. Resource handout
F. Role play
G. Self assessment
H. Written chapter review
I. Written exam
J. Written topic report
K. Team activity