Hocbigg - Special Education
Contents
Summary
The Special Education curriculum is a complete education in Special Education using online materials.
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Curriculum
Foundations of Special Education
Examines the historical, legal, and ethical frameworks governing special education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, and the principles of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education (Pearson / Daniel P. Hallahan, James M. Kauffman, and Paige C. Pullen) - The canonical introductory textbook covering the legal history, core terminology, and philosophical foundations of the field.
The Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Educator (Pressbooks / Paula Lombardi) - An open-access textbook outlining federal statutory requirements, procedural safeguards, and the professional responsibilities of special educators.
Disability Inclusion in Education: Building Systems of Support (Coursera / University of Cape Town) - An audit-mode course focused on building inclusive institutional support systems and understanding disability rights.
Characteristics and Etiologies of Exceptional Learners
Surveys the developmental, behavioral, sensory, and cognitive characteristics of high- and low-incidence disabilities, framing neurodiversity alongside diagnostic criteria.
Human Exceptionality: School, Community, and Family (Cengage / Michael L. Hardman, Clifford J. Drew, and M. Winston Egan) - A comprehensive exploration of disabilities across the lifespan, focusing on psychological and social dynamics in families and schools.
Managing ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Concussion in School (Coursera / University of Colorado System) - An applied clinical and educational course detailing symptom presentation, medical considerations, and school-based accommodations for common childhood exceptionalities.
Assessment, Diagnostic Evaluation, and IEP Development
Covers the administration and interpretation of formal and informal psychoeducational assessments, progress monitoring, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and the development of legally compliant Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Assessment in Special Education: A Practical Approach (Pearson / Roger Pierangelo and George A. Giuliani) - A step-by-step guide to standardized testing, informal assessments, eligibility determinations, and test result interpretations.
IEPs: Developing High-Quality Individualized Education Programs (IRIS Center / Vanderbilt University) - An interactive module teaching the formulation of Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statements and measurable annual goals aligned with the Supreme Court's Endrew F. standard.
Evidence-Based Instructional Strategies and Universal Design
Focuses on designing accessible learning environments through explicit instruction, systematic scaffolding, task analysis, Differentiated Instruction, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Problems (Pearson / Sharon R. Vaughn and Candace S. Bos) - A standard methods text providing research-based instructional procedures in reading, writing, mathematics, and study skills.
Universal Design for Learning: Designing Learning Experiences That Engage and Challenge All Students (IRIS Center / Vanderbilt University) - A practical training module developed with CAST on applying the three core UDL principles to curricular goals, materials, and evaluations.
Differentiated Instruction: Maximizing the Learning of All Students (IRIS Center / Vanderbilt University) - An interactive module exploring how to modify instructional content, process, and products according to student readiness, interest, and learning profile.
High-Leverage Practices in Special Education (Council for Exceptional Children & CEEDAR Center) - A foundational open framework and video exemplar library demonstrating essential practices such as explicit instruction, flexible grouping, and active student engagement in real classrooms.
Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavioral Supports
Introduces the principles of operant conditioning, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and multi-tiered Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in educational settings.
Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers (Pearson / Paul A. Alberto, Anne C. Troutman, and Judah B. Axe) - The definitive applied textbook teaching educators how to collect ABC data, establish reinforcement schedules, and shape classroom behavior constructively.
Classroom Behavior Management (Part 1): Key Concepts and Foundational Practices (IRIS Center / Vanderbilt University) - A structured module detailing how to create positive classroom climates, establish clear procedures, and address cultural considerations in student behavior.
Functional Behavioral Assessment: Identifying the Reasons for Student Behavior (IRIS Center / Vanderbilt University) - A guided module explaining how to identify behavioral functions (attention, escape, tangible, sensory) and design targeted intervention strategies.
Assistive Technology and Accessible Learning Materials
Explores low-tech accommodations through high-tech hardware, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, and digital accessibility guidelines that promote student independence.
Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities (Pearson / Amy G. Dell, Deborah A. Newton, and Jerry G. Petroff) - A comprehensive look at matching assistive hardware, software, and adaptations to individual student needs across developmental and academic areas.
Assistive Technology: An Overview (IRIS Center / Vanderbilt University) - An interactive module detailing the legal requirements for AT consideration during IEP meetings and the process of evaluating device and service effectiveness.
An Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusive Design (Coursera / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) - A course teaching universal digital access, accessible document preparation, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) applicable to educational media.
Inclusive Practices, Co-Teaching, and Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Examines co-teaching delivery models, paraprofessional supervision, related service coordination, and family-centered partnerships in general education and resource settings.
Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Classrooms (SAGE Publications / Diane P. Bryant, Brian R. Bryant, and Deborah D. Smith) - A practical guide detailing co-teaching structures, collaborative problem-solving, and the ADAPT framework for inclusive environments.
Family Engagement: Collaborating with Families of Students with Disabilities (IRIS Center / Vanderbilt University) - An interactive module focused on building reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with families during IEP planning and educational advocacy.