LICENSURE only: teacher of students with moderate disabilities (5-12) leading to initial license

This program is for educators seeking an initial license in Moderate Disabilities who already hold an initial license in Middle School or High School. All Special Education programs at Lesley prepare skilled and reflective practitioners to work with children with a range of mild to moderate disabilities at the 5-12 grade levels, and prepare teachers to work with culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities in the least restrictive environments in public and private schools, clinical settings, and collaborative programs.

Prerequisite: Initial Massachusetts license in Middle or High School Education

 Courses may be waived based on previous coursework. Courses waived may reduce the the total number of program credits.

 * Must be completed prior to the practicum.
** Must be completed prior to the practicum and include field-based assignments
***For current information on state testing requirements for initial licensure programs, Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure test administration dates, and the Lesley MTEL policy, see the Certification Office web page at www.lesley.edu/certification.html.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ESPED 5100
Special Needs: An Inclusive Perspective
This course presents an overview of characteristics and instructional implications of various disabling conditions. From an inclusive perspective, the class examines information about disabilities as well as the effects of societal attitudes, the range of service delivery for individuals with disabilities, the historical context of special education, state and federal laws and regulations, the impact of labeling, myths and stereotypes, advocacy, and the role of parents.

EEDUC 5121
Literacy: The Integration of the Language Arts
This course presents fundamental principles of elementary reading and language arts. Focus is on students understanding the interrelationship of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will also become knowledgeable about current materials, instructional strategies, and classroom-based assessment for emergent reading, beginning reading, and fluent reading.

ESPED 5114
Universal Curriculum Design for Diverse Learners
Designing curriculum and instructional approaches for the range of diverse learners in inclusive classrooms. Focus will be on interdisciplinary approaches, with instructional and ecological accommodations for students with moderate disabilities. Access for all students to the state Curriculum Frameworks in English language arts, mathematics, science, technology, social studies, foreign languages, health, and the arts will be addressed throughout the course.

ESPED 6121
Classroom and Behavior Management
This course addresses the social/emotional and behavioral aspects of teaching and learning. Strategies for developing and maintaining appropriate standards of behavior, organizing and managing the classroom, and enhancing the emotional development of children are examined. A range of environmental, social/ emotional, behavioral, psychoeducational, and cognitive theories and interventions are reviewed and critiqued.

ESPED 6105
Math, Science and Technology: Content and Strategies (5–12)
This course focuses on developing specially designed curricula and teaching strategies in math, science, and technology for diverse learners at the middle and high school levels. Focus will be on cultivation of mathematical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students will work with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, as well as a variety of materials and instructional technologies, to support learning in math and science for students with moderate disabilities.

ESPED 6124
Nondiscriminatory Assessment and Educational Programming
This course will familiarize students with principles of nondiscriminatory assessment for monolingual and bilingual students with mild to moderate special needs. Standardized forms of educational assessment are the primary focus of study. Basic measurement statistics provided as well as practice with the administration, scoring, and interpretation of commonly used standardized instruments and procedures. Current issues in the field of testing and evaluation of school-age students will be explored. Course participants will create an assessment portfolio on a case study student and become familiar with the legal process and requirements of Individual Educational Plan (IEP).

ESPED 6129
English Language Arts, History and Social Science: Content and Strategies (5–12)
This course emphasizes reading comprehension, writing, and study skills in English language arts, history, and social science for middle school and high school learners with a range of moderate disabilities. Students will work with state Curriculum Frameworks to identify and develop a variety of teaching strategies and curricular adaptations appropriate for content area classrooms.

ESPED 6123
Strategies and Interventions for Reading and Writing (5–12)
Specialized curriculum and interventions appropriate for the middle and high school, with an emphasis on reading and writing, for students with a range of learning difficulties. Topics include strategies for promoting growth in comprehension, vocabulary, word analysis, and composition. Students will work with state Curriculum Frameworks and have the opportunity to address all content areas in developing a variety of specific modifications and interventions based upon individual needs. They will be designed to address and remediate learning problems as specified in the IEP. Specialized programs will be evaluated.

ESPED 7710
Half Practicum and Seminar In Moderate Disabilities (5-12)
This seven-week practicum in the role of teacher of students with moderate disabilities is accompanied by a seminar on issues in the field of special education. For enrollment guidelines and permission to register, contact the Field Placement Office.

Lesley University reserves the right to unilaterally add, withdraw, or revise any course offering in the above-mentioned program of study, including policies, provisions, requirements, and fees.

Lesley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap or disability in its education programs, employment, or in admissions to, access to or treatment in its programs or activities.