Course Syllabus

The information contained on this page is designed to give students a representative example of material covered in the course. Any information related to course assignments, dates, or course materials is illustrative only. For a definitive list of materials, please check the online catalog 3-4 weeks before the course start date.

SPLED 501 Administration and Supervision of Educational Programs for Exceptional Children (3)


Overview | Objectives | Materials | Library Resources | Technical Requirements | Course Schedule | Grading | Academic Integrity | Accommodating Disabilities | Additional Policies

ADA Statement

To facilitate learning of students with disabilities, it is necessary students with special needs to inform the course instructor at the beginning of the course. Students must provide to the instructor a letter from the Office for Disability Services outlining required accommodations.


Course Description

Special Education 501 is designed to introduce students to the issues and tasks confronting administrators and supervisors of programs for exceptional children. Students will apply the principles and requirements of IDEA and other laws prescribing the treatment of children with disabilities in the educational system to evidence-based practices in education and management of special education programs

return to top of page

Course Outline

I. Session One

A. Introduction

B. Contexts

II. Session Two- Evidence-based management practices

A. Outcomes

B. Inputs

C. Processes

III. Session Three-Evidence-based instructional and educational practices

IV. Session Four

A. IDEA and Regulations

B. Other Educational Law

V. Session Five- Other Legal Issues

A. Liability

B. Inclusion

C. Abuse

D. Professional Code of Conduct

E. Other

VI. Session Six- Other Administrative Functions

A. Staff meetings

B. Personnel recruitment and selection

C. Program Evaluation

D. Managing SPLED functions

 

return to top of page

Course Objectives

By the time you complete this course, you will:

return to top of page

Required Course Materials

There are no required materials in this course.

For pricing and ordering information, please see the Barnes & Noble College website.

Materials will be available at Barnes & Noble College approximately three weeks before the course begins. It is very important that you purchase the correct materials. If your course requires one or more textbooks, you must have exactly the correct text required (edition and year).

return to top of page

Library Resources


Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can

You can view the Online Students' Library Guide for more information.

You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select  My Account.

return to top of page

Technical Specifications

Technical Requirements
Operating System Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher
*Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version
Processor 2 GHz or higher
Memory 1 GB of RAM
Hard Drive Space 20 GB free disk space
Browser We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion, and for advice on downloading a supported version, please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers.
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows
from Penn State websites.

Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching,
older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses.
Plug-ins Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe]
Additional Software Microsoft Office (2007 or later)
Internet Connection Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required
Printer Access to graphics-capable printer
DVD-ROM Required
Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers Required
Monitor Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution

If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.

For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!

return to top of page

Course Schedule

Course Content
Activity
Submitted Through

Week 1

  • Preliminary activities due: Explore website, check video, read and print syllabus and course calendar
  • Syllabus, Plagiarism and Acronym self-evaluation reports due
  • Watch Session 1 video lecture/read notes
  • Read reserve readings
  • Read assignment descriptions
  • Select and submit topic for assignments

Week 2

  • Watch Sessions 2 and 3 video lectures/read notes Read reserve readings
  • Assignment 1 due
Angel Dropbox
Week 3
  • Watch Sessions 4 and 5 video lectures/read notes Read reserve readings
  • Assignment 2 and 3 due
Angel Dropbox
Week 4
  • Watch Sessions 5 and 6 video
  • Read reserve readings
  • Assignment 4 due
Angel Dropbox
Week 5
  • Wrap up
  • Read reserve readings
  • Assignment 5 due
Angel Dropbox

NOTE: Due dates are final dates. Students may read ahead, complete and submit assignments before due dates and complete any course activities before the due dates, but assignments must be submitted on or before midnight on the due date.

Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.

Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.

return to top of page

Grading

Grades will be posted on the website for all assignments. Assignment grades will be posted within one week of the due date.

Activity
Points
Assignment 1
15
Assignment 2
15
Assignment 3
15
Assignment 4
15
Assignment 5
40
TOTAL POINTS
100

 

Letter Grade
Point Range
A
95-100
A-
90-94
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B-
80-82
C+
77-79
C
70-76
D
60-69
F
<59

Please refer to the University Registrar's information about University grading policies. If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.

For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.

return to top of page

Academic Integrity

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity (for undergraduate students in undergraduate courses) and policy GCAC-805 Academic Integrity (for graduate students and undergraduate students in graduate courses), an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity or GCAC-805 Academic Integrity as appropriate). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.

How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.

In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedures allow a student to accept or contest/appeal the allegation. If a student chooses to contest/appeal the allegation, the case will then be managed by the respective school, college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. Review procedures may vary by college, campus, or school, but all follow the aforementioned policies.

All academic integrity violations are referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, which may assign an educational intervention and/or apply a Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion.

Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page.

return to top of page

Accommodating Disabilities

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
return to top of page

Additional Policies

For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.

return to top of page

Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.