Introduction to Special Education is a required course for all
elementary and physical education majors working toward teacher
certification. This course surveys the major areas of
exceptionalities as defined under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). 34CFR Part 300 (Federal) and Part 200
(State) laws and regulations, legal definitions, and historic
litigation are discussed. Identifying characteristics,
etiologies, and the prevalence of each exceptionality within
IDEIA are explored along with the types of educational
instruction, supports, adaptations and classroom management
skills needed for students to achieve success. Pre-referral
alternatives, referral systems, multi-disciplinary team
composition and responsibilities, the Individual Education Plan
and Individual Family Service Plan processes, placement
procedures, various service delivery systems and family issues
will also be exam