EDSP 475 | Radford University

EDSP 475: Individualized Education Program Development and Implementation

Prerequisites: EDSP 361 or departmental approval.

Credit Hours: (3)

This lecture course addresses current issues and needs in instruction for students with disabilities at the elementary level including Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and evidence-based teaching practices. The course emphasizes teaching methods that include data-based decision making, progress monitoring, and individualized implementation of evidence-based practices. The course prepares teachers to teach and remediate academic skills, study skills, and learning strategies, and to adapt course content and assignments to meet individual needs of students with disabilities who are engaged in the general education curriculum at the elementary level.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

This course is designed to provide future educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement an optimal teaching-learning environment for students with disabilities representing diverse backgrounds in the inclusive general education classroom at the elementary level. Topics in this area include:

Principles of learning, and integrating Individualized Education Programs (IEP) within the scope and sequence of the general education curriculum
Identification of present level of performances through informal and formal assessments
Development of Individualized Education Programs (IEP) that address the academic and functional needs of the student(s) with disabilities in the general education curriculum and meet regulatory requirements
Identification and application of differentiated instruction to enhance the access of students with disabilities to the general curriculum.
Alternative ways to teach content material including curriculum adaptations and modifications and including the selection and use of appropriate materials, including instructional and assistive technologies to promote student learning
Evaluation of student performance through progress monitoring and response to student progress
Classroom organization and routines that promote learning and participation

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Lecture, demonstration, class discussion, audio and/or visual presentations, assigned readings, case studies, and applied projects with K-6 learners.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students enrolled in this course will be able to:

Plan and implement instruction that is sensitive to culturally and linguistically diverse learners, including English learners, gifted and talented students, and students with disabilities.
Identify instructional and assistive technologies that support access to the general education curriculum for elementary level students with disabilities.
Apply knowledge of the eligibility process, legal, and regulatory requirements (including but not limited to timelines, components, team composition, roles and responsibilities) to develop and implement comprehensive Individualized Educational Programs in collaboration with team members, including varying professionals.
Make decisions about individual student progress, instruction, program, accommodations, placement, and teaching methodology based upon an understanding of the student’s characteristics (including age, ability, cultural, and language factors), individual needs, and the general education curriculum and standards.
Demonstrate the use of assessment, evaluation, and other information to develop and implement individual educational planning and group instruction with students with disabilities accessing the general curriculum at the elementary level.
Identify evidence-based practices to teach students with disabilities to use effective thinking processes, problem-solving skills, study skills, test-taking strategies, and other cognitive learning strategies to meet their needs.
Evaluate student performance and impact of instructional practices through a variety of standardized and non-standardized data collection techniques such as task analysis, observation, portfolio assessment, and other curriculum-based measures.
Analyze classroom organization, routines, and instructional delivery skills for effective participation and learning for students with disabilities in the general education curriculum.
Evaluate, select, and use theoretical approaches, research-supported online and face-to-face methods, and specialized instructional strategies for academic and nonacademic instruction for students with disabilities in K-6 grade levels.

Assessment Measures

Assessment measures may include, but are not limited to, reading responses, case studies, and instructional planning/implementation projects with K-6 students.

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

March 19, 2024