SPE 379 Family, School, and Community in a Diverse Society (3 credits)

This course focuses on the process of family assessment and intervention, issues of family and professional collaboration and diversity, and methods of promoting adult communication and management strategies. It applies the knowledge of cultural and linguistic diversity and the significance of socio-cultural and political contexts as they relate to the family, culture and society. It identifies the members of teams designed to support and optimize children's educational needs and social-emotional development and the network of community services and resources to individuals, families and groups affected by social, environmental, health and related problems.

Candidates will develop effective, evidence-based instructional strategies for all levels of support (PreK-8). These will include: lesson plans, unit plans, IEPs, IFSPs, 504 plans, and intervention strategies that employ Pennsylvania’s Standards Aligned Systems (http://www.pdesas.org). Candidates will be able to modify and implement curriculum including appropriate adaptations and technology, using the appropriate Academic Standards, Alternate Academic Standards where necessary, Assessment Anchors, and eligible content.

In addition, candidates will demonstrate the ability to collaborate and plan for student outcomes and transition at designated times throughout the student's education, including Age 3 transition for Pre K-8, secondary transition procedures (7-12), and transition to post school success. This course of study will include: applying the knowledge of transition-related legislation in fields of special and vocational education, rehabilitation, labor and civil rights; developing and implementing a transition plan that integrates functional, academic, and vocational data aligned to identified post school outcomes; and administering and interpreting formal and informal career and vocational assessment approaches.