Department of Special Education

Department of Special Education Department Meeting 3/12/14

In attendance: Casey, Katy; Collins, James; Gordon, David; Gwalla-Ogisi, Nomsa; Jewell, Kelly; Kolb, Sharon; Robinson, Rowand; Schultz, Tia; Stevens Griffith, Amy; Stuart, Shannon; Toms, Ozalle; Winchell, Brooke

1. Announcements – called to order at 3:38pm a. Approve minutes a.i. Moved – Sharon Kolb a.ii. 2nd – Ozalle Toms a.iii. Passed with one correction 2. Eval questions for DeVore & Winchell – compare ECSE to SPECED – tabled until subsequent meeting 3. SPECED 205 text – evaluated thus far by LCK, LL, and R2 - Slightly expanded section on RTI and has updated the info on ASD to fit the new DSM 5 definitions. Proposal to request the bookstore to provide the e-book version (or at least that option) for students as there are a lot of integrated links, etc. – for fall new edition – Rowand will make the request for all sections of SPECED 205 4. Curricular Proposals: Drafts due by end of April a. Thanks to those who have already submitted: (e.g., David for 410 and Sharon for 776) b. Common Rationale – Sharon to provide language b.i. Will have language to plug into all curricular changes 5. Advising – R2 a. Physical Science site b. ELEMMID 425 update – Elementary Education worked to accommodate all students taking the course 6. edTPA updates a. addressed five policies – all departments must establish framework for Phase 3. b. All programs need artifacts c. 485 will be the pre-edTPA d. Training – brief overview on March 19 with the option of full day training on April 4 from 9-3 e. Simone and Brooke to attend COEPS trainings 7. Incident on Campus – resolution from Faculty Senate to address students taping courses without instructor permission as session was taped and posted which violates property rights 8. International education a. Matches strategic goal of the COEPS b. Represents an opportunity to make an impact c. Includes concern that teacher candidates not licensed yet, which parallels concerns raised regarding China as a potential site d. Would need to pilot with a strong student e. Concern that countries such as China have a different perception of special education assessment procedures, thus assessments must be used that are specific to the country of origin so they are developed with specific students in mind (e.g., culturally sensitive) f. Discussed the viability of sites such as China, Ghana, Australia, Ecuador, and Jamaica g. Jamaica – 4 co-teachers in January g.i. Will go back to Jamaica in January 2015 and will return with more information g.i.1. Amy to return to Jamaica Education Ministry to assess their policies g.ii. Had to make accommodations, but worked well in Jamaica g.iii. Didn’t work as well based on impact on 458 & 410 g.iv. As an example, area of Mandeville has Special Education schools that serve students with more severe disabilities (similar to a Lakeland or Norris structure) g.v. These sites often see teacher candidates as agents of change g.vi. Broaden your mind and experiences – education ministry – pushing for more services g.vii. Jamaican government has been working since 2009 to pass Special Education laws and is on target to pass soon g.viii. Need to determine the timeframe and how it will impact various requirements each semester (e.g., Fall placements would impact the last three weeks of student teaching) h. Ecuador – we don’t want to discount the cultural experience h.i. They have established the first inclusive school in Ecuador but the department must evaluate the nature of that experience h.ii. Previously certain sites were excluded due to missing components to prepare students adequately to teach in the US (e.g., South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica) i. Committee identified to establish criteria to evaluate International programs as sites for student teaching: Amy Stevens Griffith, Nomsa Gwalla-Ogisi, Sharon Kolb, Ozalle Toms 9. Minors will continue to take 361 which will be designed to better meet the needs of majors and minors (i.e., separating the two) 10. Two student teachers backed out during student teaching feeling overwhelmed. 11. Move to adjourn Katy Casey 2nd Kelly Jewell