Special Education

Professors Thurston, White, M. K. Zabel, and R. Zabel; Assistant Professors Kaff and Knackendoffel; Emeriti: Dettmer and Dyck.

www.educ.ksu.edu/Departments/SpecialEd/Overview.html

Studies in special education accommodate students who wish to specialize in teaching children and youth with certain exceptionalities. Students must complete an undergraduate teacher education program leading to certification for either elementary or secondary school teaching. Program focus is to work with students with mild/moderate disabilities or high abilities at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels.

Special education courses
EDSP 323. Exceptional Students in the Secondary School. (2) I, II, S. Designed for regular classroom teachers in meeting the needs of exceptional adolescents. Support strategies for teachers and exceptional students in the mainstream of education. Pr.: Admission to teacher education, and FSHS 110.

EDSP 324. Exceptional Child in the Regular Classroom. (3) I, II, S. Designed for general education teachers in meeting the needs of exceptional children. Support strategies for teachers and exceptional children in the mainstream of education will be explored. Pr.: Admission to teacher education, and EDCEP 315 (may be taken simultaneously).

EDSP 400. The Culture of Childhood. (3) I. This course, designed for the General Education Core, is a study of childhood and children from a variety of perspectives. Exploring the ways children are viewed from historical, cultural, scientific, artistic, religious, philosophical, educational, and sociological frameworks will be a major focus. Students from various disciplines within the university will examine how their particular specialty influences and is influenced by the concept of childhood. Pr.: Sophomore standing.

EDSP 500. Introduction to Human Exceptionality . (3) II, S. Survey of history and legal aspects of service, etiologies, characteristics, and special needs of exceptional individuals. Pr.: FSHS 110 or PSYCH 100.

EDSP 502. Independent Study in Education. (1-3) I, II, S. Selected topics in professional education. Maximum of three hours applicable toward degree requirements. Pr.: Consent of department chair.

EDSP 710. Education of Exceptional Individuals. (3) I, II, S. A general study of special education, with emphasis on legislation, Individual Education Plans, cross-cultural assessment and intervention, and strategies for exceptional students at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. Pr.: EDCEP 315 and EDSP 323 or EDSP 324.

EDSP 721. Characteristics of Learning Disabilities. (3) II. An explanation of important concepts and practices in the area of learning disabilities. Emphasis will be placed upon diagnosis of underlying causes and their characteristics. Pr.: EDSP 323 or 324, and EDCEP 315.

EDSP 724. Characteristics of Mental Retardation. (3) I. Etiological, psychological, sociological, and educational aspects of mental retardation. Pr.: EDSP 323 or 324, and EDCEP 315.

EDSP 728. Characteristics of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. (3) I, S. Study of conceptual models for understanding emotional and behavioral disorders of childhood and adolescents, and their implications for educators. Pr.: EDCEP 315 and EDSP 323 or EDSP 324.

EDSP 750. Characteristics and Needs of Individuals Who Are Gifted. (3) On sufficient demand. An overview of historical perspectives related to gifted child education, various facets of intellectual and creative functioning, national and state guidelines for planning and implementing gifted programs, modifying curriculum and classroom strategies to nurture gifted potential, current issues in gifted education. Pr.: EDSP 323 or 324.

EDSP 775. Readings in Special Education. (1-3) I, II, S. Readings in research and application in specialized areas in education. May be taken more than once. Pr.: EDCEP 215.

EDSP 777. Behavior Management for Exceptional Individuals. (3) II. Theoretical and practical applications of behavior analysis with emphasis on preventing and remediating behavior problems of students with disabilities. Pr.: EDCEP 315 and EDSP 323 or EDSP 324.

EDSP 778. Technology for Special Education. (2) II. Designed to help special educators develop an awareness of technology that can assist in the lives and learning of students receiving special education. Administrative applications of technology related to special education will also be covered. Pr.: EDCEP 315 and EDSP 323 or EDSP 324.

EDSP 786. Topics in Education. (1-3) I, II, S. Examination of current topic in specialization of faculty. Varied topics offered each semester so course may be repeated. Pr.: EDCEP 315 and EDSP 323 or EDSP 324.

EDSP 787. Field Experiences in Special Education. (1-3) On sufficient demand. Observation and supervised activities in schools, camps, clinics, or institutions related to student's area of special interest or preparation. Pr.: EDSP 323 or EDSP 324 and EDSP 710.

EDSP 795. Problems in Special Education. Credit arranged. I, II, S. Selected students are permitted to secure specialized training appropriate to the needs of the individual. The student's project may involve intensive library investigation in a special field or the collection and analysis of data pertinent to a given problem. All work is done independently under the direction of a faculty member. As many conferences are held as necessary to assure successful completion of a project. Pr.: Background of courses necessary for the problem undertaken and consent of instructor.

Topics within Education:
	Advising		Secondary Education Teaching Fields		Educational Administration and Leadership
	University General Education		Optional Secondary Licensure Programs		Elementary Education
	Honors Program		Optional Secondary Licensure Program at the Middle Level		Foundations and Adult Education
	Support Facilities and Programs		Secondary Education Programs Outside the College of Education		Secondary Education
	Teacher Education		Other Program Choices		Special Education
	Elementary Education Program		General Courses
	Secondary Education Program		Counseling and Educational Psychology