ELRS578: Testing and Evaluation

Principles and practices of educational and psychological testing and evaluation relevant to professionals in human services, communication sciences and disorders, education, and related fields. Historical/philosophical orientation; place of testing in instructional and remedial programs; statistical concepts underlying measurement; validity, reliability, response set; construction of tests and measurement instruments; evaluation and interpretation of testing data; use and misuse of testing data; reporting data to students, parents and colleagues; critical analyses of selected standardized intelligence, ability and personality tests; experimental tests and measurement instruments. Course project geared to individual student needs. 3 sh.

PSYC560: Advanced Educational Psychology

A comprehensive treatment of the cognitive and affective characteristics of the learner and the processes of learning and teaching provide the framework for this course. Behavioral, cognitive and information-processing theory are presented and their applicability to instructional strategies and classroom dynamics is discussed. Other areas included are the origins of individual differences including heredity and environment, early childhood education, cultural differences, student motivation, classroom management, measurement and evaluation, exceptional children and other topics. 3 sh.

PSYC563: Theories of Learning

The aim of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of modern learning theory, its historical context, theoretical ideas, research, and applications. To this end, the theoretical ideas of the major schools of learning--behaviorism, gestalt, cognitivism, and information-processing--are reviewed. 3 sh.

PSYC573: Behavioral Neuroscience

The physiological bases of normal and abnormal behavior with emphasis on the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the human nervous system are discussed. Starting with the nerve cell, the course progresses through the receptors, spinal cord, cortical and subcortical structures, psychosurgery, biofeedback, and other topics. 3 sh.

PSYC578: Psychological Tests and Measurements

This course surveys the theory, construction and application of psychological tests. Topics include the statistical concepts underlying measurement; reliability and validity; critical analyses of selected intelligence, ability and personality tests; evaluation and interpretation of test data in practical situations; and the role of testing in clinical, educational and remedial settings. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval, and an undergraduate Psychology statistics course or equivalent.

PSYC668: Consultation Methods in Psychoeducational Settings

This course is designed to provide students with theory and practice about the consultation process. The course will identify a collaborative, problem-solving model of consultation in psychoeducational settings and define the intrapersonal, interpersonal and systemic factors associated with successful consultation. Students will locate consultation cases and function under direct supervision and monitoring. Cross listed with Curriculum and Teaching, SPED 668. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

SPED579: Special Education for Students with Disabilities

An overview of instruction for students with special needs; characteristics of special populations, federal and state legislation, educational implications of disabling conditions, principles for instruction and planning for inclusion are presented; community resources and special issues related to the education of students with disabilities are discussed. 3 sh.

SPED580: Evaluation and Planning for Students with Learning Problems I

This course presents the role of the LDT-C on the Child Study Team, the administration and interpretation of standardized and functional assessment methods for identifying learning difficulties and disabilities, training to facilitate data-based decision making, formulation of an instructional plan based on assessment data, assessment regulations in law code, and legal and ethical issues. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 579.

SPED581: Evaluation and Planning for Students with Learning Problems II

Continuation of SPED 580 providing advanced training in the identification of and planning for students with learning problems; models for the formulation of assessment plans, administration and analysis of diagnostic batteries, special issues in evaluation, the use of evaluation data to make decisions regarding eligibility and instructional planning are presented; case study methods are used to simulate Child Study Team practice. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 580 and department approval.

SPED587: Advanced Instructional Techniques for Students with Learning Problems

The Learning Strategies Model for assisting students with learning problems to become independent will be used as framework; techniques for inclusion in regular educational settings, collaboration, strategies for planning instruction to meet diverse needs of students with mild disabilities, and special issues related to instruction will be presented. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 567, SPED 568 and SPED 581.

SPED590: Practicum: Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant

Supervised practice of the Child Study Team process in assessment and planning; administration of evaluation procedures and analysis of results; decision-making regarding eligibility and instructional planning, consultation and collaboration as a member of a Child Study Team will be emphasized. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

SPED595: Medical and Physical Bases of Disabilities

Critical dimensions of the neurological and biological growth in the context of developmental disabilities are discussed. The relevance of the pediatric and neurological examinations for understanding disabilities is provided. The medical treatment of disabilities is presented. 3 sh.

SPED596: Advanced Practicum: Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant

Continuation of SPED 590; students will enroll in SPED 596 to fulfill the 150 hour time requirement and the meeting of competency standards to practice as a Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant begun in SPED 590. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

SPED668: Consultation Methods in Psychoeducational Settings

This course is designed to provide students with theory and practice about the consultation process. The course will identify a collaborative, problem-solving model of consultation in psychoeducational settings and define the intrapersonal, interpersonal and systemic factors associated with successful consultation. Students will locate consultation cases and function under direct supervision and monitoring. Cross listed with Psychology, PSYC 668. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SPED 587.