Collaboration with Families and School-Based Teams

This course offers intensive practical exposure to theory, research, and exemplary practice in collaborative process and team development. Emphasis is placed on working effectively with families, school, and community partners, in particular those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Candidates examine specific practices to enhance cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural, and cross-constituent partnerships within inclusive school, community, and other settings. Candidates will apply knowledge to enhance educational outcomes of students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities. Through active and guided participation, candidates will refine various communication, problem-solving, facilitation, and leadership skills necessary to develop integrated special education and related services. Co-teaching with another teacher or related service professional is a required field-based assignment and the co-teaching assignment requires between 8-10 hours. Lectures, readings, and in class activities utilize face to face and web-enhanced strategies to maximize candidates’ application to classroom and other school settings. Candidates will be encouraged to use technology enhanced applications to facilitate peer based professional development and action research assignments throughout the semester.

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