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Endorsement in Special Education M.Ed. Degree Program for Classroom Teachers Degree Program Offered The Special Education Endorsement/Master's Degree Program is offered by the Indian Education Outreach Project (IEOP) through the Center on Disabilities & Human Development at the University of Idaho. The program is funded by a grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Indian Education Programs at the Center for School Improvement (CSI) in Albuquerque, NM. Courses are offered through a combination of on-site instruction, web-based delivery, and independent study. This program is designed to allow general educators working within the tribal school system to continue teaching their respective schools while furthering their education. Why Special Education? The teachers of today's schools are faced with an exciting and challenging opportunity. Students from preschool to secondary are required to learn an unprecedented amount of academic content while acquiring critical social skills. Special Education teachers have the unique role of enhancing this learning among the gifted and the exceptional learner. Jennifer Olson, Ph.D College of Education University of Idaho Historically, Special Education stands apart from Regular Education however the needs of children encompass all aspects of opportunity and these needs effects teachers across the board, whether it is how to write an effective Individualized Education Plan, a Positive Behavioral Support Plan, teach parents their rights concerning IDEA, or develop strategies for enhancing social skills in gifted and exceptional learners. Special Education professional development for all teachers in the classroom lends itself to inclusion across the curriculum, for all children with disabilities and for exceptional learners. Statistics Who is Eligible? Teachers within the tribal schools we serve, who hold certification in general education are the primary group for whom this training will be provided. Teachers who are Native American will be actively recruited. Eligible participants benefit by having tuition and books paid by the grant. The student will be responsible for the cost of fees, books, and materials related to the program, however will be reimbursed upon completion of the coursework.  top
Consider this program if...
The Curriculum The curriculum is designed specifically with tribal school personnel in mind; it is fixed over a three year period and is intended to meet the needs of full-time classroom teachers. The program offers one class per semester and two classes each summer. The Special Education Masterês Degree Course Catalog [you can download it in pdf] provides the course schedule from 2003-2006. It includes:
Technical Assistance will be provided on-site, or through the College of Education at the University of Idaho. Each student will be provided a faculty advisor for the duration of the degree program. The curriculum will be a combination of web-based, face to face instruction, and independent study. Students will be required to gather at a designated place to meet with the instructors, at most, for two on-site classes over a two-day period per semester. For instance, classes were held at Wa He Lut tribal school in Olympia, WA on a Friday and Saturday for the first cohort. Some courses are offered completely on line with the availability of the professor and technical assistance by a graduate TA. ????? Any questions concerning the degree program curriculum can be directed to the IEOP (link to home page information numbers or suggestions of wherever theyêre going to be).??????? Frequently asked questions can be accessed at the FAQ link. top
The First Year The degree program began with recruitment over fall of 2002 for a first cohort of students. Project staff visited tribal schools in the Portland Northwest Area and those people interested in pursuing the program were offered the first 3 credit graduate level course, Education of Peoples with Disabilities. Twenty-nine tribal school personnel enrolled in the web-based course. Through direction and guidance of our project staff, this group finished the course and those who wanted to join Cohort I applied for the Special Education Certification/M.Ed. program and for acceptance into the University of Idaho Graduate Studies Program. Masters Program Requirements
Consists of fifteen students representing six tribal schools. They will be completing their program of study in Fall 2006. On site face to face instruction and advising will be held in mid March 2005 for both cohorts. Cohort
III will not be started at this time. |
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