Syllabus
Master of Science in Education
EDU 748: Literacy for Inclusion Settings
Credits - 3
Description
This course is designed to straddle the disciplines of regular and special education. Students will explore the implementation of multi-tier approaches to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs and ways to differentiate instruction. The course attends to the collaboration that takes places between regular and special education teachers when assessing and planning instruction for all students in an inclusive setting.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Students will understand the legal, political and social issues surrounding special education and RTI as well as theories of disability (medical vs. social model) and specific disability classifications and resources.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the RTI Process as a formal approach to assessing, supporting and documenting student learning.
- Students will explore guiding principles for assessment and design an equitable differentiated assessment relevant to an inclusive classroom setting.
- Students will facilitate and participate in a collaborative inquiry group to more deeply understand a focal student and plan for instruction.
- Students will participate as active and contributing members of an academic learning community to learn new content and further understanding of teaching literacy in inclusion settings.
Assignments
Discussions: Weeks 1-6, Week 8
Each week students discuss a new topic within the course discussions. Prompts require students to critique, analyze and synthesize assigned reading, professional experience and research. Each week students submit an original post and respond to at least two posts made by classmates.
Student Profile Template
For this assignment, create an anonymous profile for a focal student based on a combination of informal surveys and reflections, data and corresponding inferences from cumulative files, observation, teaching experiences with the student, and conversations with colleagues. Predict literacy challenges the focal student may face, and evaluate interventions and accommodations that are already in place.
RTI Essay
For this assignment, investigate a topic that will help you to address concerns or potential gaps in the intervention plan for your focal student. Synthesize research on the topic and analyze the results, discussing the implications of the research for your teaching practice.
Equity in Assessment Assignment
Equity in Assessment Assignment: Explore guiding principles for assessment and create an equitable differentiated assessment relevant to an inclusive classroom setting.
Student Intervention Plan
Drawing on information from the student profile, prerequisite screenings, diagnostic pre-assessments or formative assessments, create an intervention plan to meet the needs of your focal student. Include a rational that connects your instructional decisions to current literacy research.
Critique and Conclusions Essay
For this final assignment, evaluate the RTI framework as a formal approach for assessing, supporting and documenting student learning. Describe its possibilities and pitfalls, and make a proposal to your RTI or administrative team to improve the RTI system used in your school or district.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points | Total Points = 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions | 7 @ 3 Pts. Each | 21 |
| Student Profile Template | 11 | 11 |
| RTI Essay | 16 | 16 |
| Equity in Assessment Assignment | 16 | 16 |
| Student Intervention Plan | 16 | 16 |
| Critique and Conclusions Essay | 20 | 20 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Weeks
Week 1: Oct 30 – Nov 3
Week 2: Nov 4 – Nov 10
Week 3: Nov 11 – Nov 17
Week 4: Nov 18 – Nov 24
Week 5: Nov 25 – Dec 1
Week 6: Dec 2 – Dec 8
Week 7: Dec 9 – Dec 15
Week 8: Dec 16 – Dec 22
|
Module |
Task |
Due Date |
|
Week 1
|
Discussion
|
Initial response due: 11:59 PM ET on FRIDAY. Subsequent responses due: 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY.
|
|
Week 2
|
Discussion
Student Profile Template |
Initial response due: 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. Subsequent responses due 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY. Due by 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY. |
|
Week 3
|
Discussion
RTI Essay |
Initial response due: 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. Subsequent responses due 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY. Due by 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY. |
|
Week 4
|
Discussion
Equity Assessment Assignment |
Initial response due: 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. Subsequent responses due 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY. Due by 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY. |
|
Week 5 |
Discussion
Student Intervention Plan
|
Initial response due: 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. Subsequent responses due 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY. Due by 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY. |
|
Week 6 |
Discussion
|
Initial response due: 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. Subsequent responses due 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY.
|
|
Week 7 |
Critique and Conclusions Essay |
Due by 11:59 PM ET on SUNDAY.
|
|
Week 8 |
Discussion |
Initial response due: 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. Subsequent responses due 11:59 PM ET on FRIDAY. |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- Education Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/education/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.