EDSP 722 History and Future of Special Education

This course is designed to provide the candidate with an opportunity to explore current trends in special education within the broader context of history, society, and current education. Research and evidence-based practices within the field of special education will be highlighted in order to equip the candidate with the skills and knowledge necessary to advocate, educate, and research in this field.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 400 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, and contain a minimum of 1 citation in current APA format to support assertions. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, and contain a minimum of 1 citation in current APA format to support assertions. Each thread must answer all components in its associated Discussion prompt and maintain a clear, logical flow. Major points must be stated clearly and be supported by good examples or thoughtful analysis. Each reply must be focused on a meaningful point made in classmates’ threads and be clear and coherent. Each reply must provide substantive additional thoughts regarding the thread and an explanation of why the candidate agrees or disagrees with the idea presented in the thread, with alternative ideas/thoughts when candidate disagrees. Each reply must be courteous in tone and titled according to the Discussion Assignment Instructions. Spelling and grammar must be correct, and sentences must be complete, clear, and concise with varied structure.

(CLO: A, B, D)

Journal Critique Assignments (3)

The candidate will select, evaluate, and critique 1 article from a peer-reviewed, professional journal published within the last five years that covers specific special education content. Each assignment will be divided into three parts, each consisting of a heading followed by 1 concise paragraph. In the first part, the candidate will open each review with a strong thesis statement and briefly and effectively summarize the article and the author’s main points. In the next two parts, the candidate will offer a critique of the article that demonstrates an understanding of the material and draws on personal experience to reach his or her well-reasoned conclusions. Each assignment must include a title page, a reference page, and headings in current APA format. Each assignment must be 300–500 words, not including the title page, in-text citations, or reference page. Each assignment must adhere to professional, graduate-level syntax and be written in third person, with the exception of Part 3, the personal response portion, which may be in first person. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Historical Review Project Assignments (2)

Historical Review Project: Outline Assignment
The candidate will select a special education topic and investigate the importance, significance, and impact of this chosen topic and its history. The candidate will develop a research question, narrowed to investigate his or her topic, that can be answered from a review of the literature. In addition to the research topic, the candidate will submit a detailed outline, including planned references that will be used to support each subpoint. The research question will be placed at the end of the introduction section. The assignment must include a title page and a references page in current APA format. The candidate must include at least 5 scholarly sources and the Bible.

Historical Review Project: Research Paper Assignment
The candidate will write a 5–7-page paper (not including the title page, abstract, or references page) in current APA format to address the chosen research topic from the Historical Review Project: Outline Assignment, demonstrating an exceptional understanding of the existing body of knowledge on the topic and critically engaging with ideas from experts in the field. The paper must include a title page, an abstract, an introduction, headings for five additional sections (Importance, Significance, Impact, Biblical Worldview, and Conclusion), and a references page. In the introduction, the candidate must convey why the topic is important to research and conclude with the research question. The candidate must support his or her claims with at least 5 scholarly sources and the Bible. The paper must be coherent and cohesive, with high-quality sentence and paragraph structure and no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. (CLO: A, D, E, F)

Research to Practice Presentation Assignment

The candidate will identify a topic of interest (e.g., a specific practice or policy) and develop a PowerPoint presentation for stakeholders linking research to practice through the use of evidence-based practices. The presentation must focus on the significance of the research, evidence, outcomes based on the candidate’s findings, and implications for practice. The presentation must identify relevant scriptural principles and perspectives from a biblical worldview, including at least 1 relevant Bible verse. The presentation must be 15–25 slides. Slides must include bullet points and graphics only. The presentation must be visually appealing, easy to read, and appropriate for the audience. The candidate must include 5–6 scholarly references and a script (with references) in the notes section of the PowerPoint. The presentation must include a final slide titled References, and all references must appear in current APA format. The presentation must be professional and informative, with correct spelling and grammar used throughout. (CLO: A, C, D, E, F)

Technology Review Analysis Assignment

The candidate will read scholarly journals, articles, and books to determine how technology in special education classrooms and/or with individuals with exceptionalities has changed through time and may evolve in the future. The candidate will examine four time periods and present findings in one of three ways: a graphic embedded in a Word document, a PowerPoint presentation, or a paper. All options must use at least 5 references (scholarly journals, articles, or books) of any year and use current APA format. Graphics will include a title page, a graphic with information on each time period, a 1-paragraph summary describing the graphic and explaining its meaning, and a references page. PowerPoints will include a title slide, a slide on each time period, references in the notes section for each slide, and a references slide. Papers will include a title page, at least 3 pages of information about each time period with headings, and a references page. Correct spelling and grammar must be used throughout. Language must be well phrased and varied in length and structure, with introductions and conclusions that are concise, interesting, and focused. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)

Personal Debate Paper Assignment

The candidate will conduct an exercise called a Personal Debate. The goal of the Personal Debate is to understand each side of an issue while prayerfully and intelligently forming a conclusive conviction about that issue. The Personal Debate will focus on the topic of Special Education and Technology. The candidate will develop a debate topic and address the pros and cons of an issue before coming to a definitive conclusion. The assignment must show a critical analysis that demonstrates understanding of the topic, question, and issue. A title page and references page in current APA format must be included. The body of the paper (not counting the title page and references page) must be a minimum of 3 pages (2 pages that present a balanced and objective articulation of both sides of the issue and 1 page that presents a conclusion with the candidate’s personal thoughts, conviction, and persuasive views about the issue). A minimum of 3 scholarly references must be included to support claims. Correct spelling and grammar must be used throughout. (CLO: A, C, E, F)