Introduction to Special Populations Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Dutton Hall 102

Office Hours

During the Fall & Spring semester, I am available in the office from 9am-11am, Monday-Thursday.  If these times do not work for you, please contact me and we will find a time that works!

During the Summer, I am available by appointment only in the office.  But, we can schedule a phone or virtual meeting anytime!

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

EDUC-2301-002 Introduction to Special Populations

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: EDUC 1301

Course Description

An enriched, integrated pre-service course and content experience that provides an overview of schooling and classrooms from the perspectives of language, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic and academic diversity, and equity with an emphasis on factors that facilitate learning. The course provides students with opportunities to participate in early field observations of P-12 special populations and should be aligned as applicable with State Board for Educator Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities standards. Must include a minimum of 16 contact hours of field experience in P-12 classrooms with special populations.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hr; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Textbook:  Bingham, T. (2018) TEACHING TEXAS:  A Complete and Practical Approach to Understanding and Applying the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company,  ISBN:  1524946494  (This textbook is also used in EDUC 1301 Introduction to Teaching)

 

Required Textbook: Margo Mstropieri & Thomas Scruggs. The Inclusive Classroom: Strategies for Effective Differentiated Instruction, 6th Edition.   Bundled with this textbook, there will be an access code for the Mylab content.   

Both textbooks are available through AC's Bookstore.  

  

Supplies

A computer/laptop with Internet access to Blackboard Learning.

 

A current student ID card is to be worn at all required teacher observations.  Student IDs are provided free of charge and are available to all students enrolled in academic classes.  The Student ID displays the student name, ID number, and a photograph.  You are encouraged to obtain an ID upon enrollment and retain the cards for the duration of attendance at Amarillo College.  ID cards are required for access to most campus services.  ID cards are also used to identify and verify you at the place where you complete the required hours of observation for this course. 

 

You will be required to wear your student ID card on an AC lanyard that can be purchased in the AC Bookstore.

 

Thank you notes and Forever postage stamps.

Student Performance

The purpose of this course is to provide students with information about the teaching profession and an opportunity to observe public school teachers, K-12, in their teaching environments.

Students will also receive information on:

  • The process of becoming a public school teacher
  • Becoming certified to teach in the state of Texas
  • An introduction to the Approved New Educator Standards in Texas
  • An overview of the Educators Code of Ethics
  • An overview of the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities of teachers

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Things to Remember

  1. Your participation in class helps you learn more, and makes the class more interesting.
  2. Ask questions.  Ask more questions. We will all learn together.
  3. Students are expected to follow the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct.
  4. Respect and honesty are key to education.  We will be working with sensitive topics. We will learn how to handle confidential information in professional ways. Keep respectful and honest practices in the front of your mind.
  5. Any student, who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangement in order to meet course requirements, should contact disAbility services at 806-371-5436 as soon as possible.
  6. If for some reason you are unable to complete this course, be sure to notify the instructor and complete the necessary drop information.
  7. Completion and verification of the 16-hour observation log sheet and journal is mandatory in order to receive credit for this course.  The start/end dates for observations will be discussed online in class. 

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria
Learning Activities = 40% of Final Grade
Special Presentation Projects =  20% of Final Grade 
Observation Journal, Log Sheet and hand written stamped thank you notes = 40% of Final Grade

Grading Scale
A =100-90
B = 89-80
C = 79-70
D = 69-65
F =  64-0

**At the end of the semester, the lowest 2 Learning Activities grades will be dropped.

**If a student does not complete the observation and journal requirements as designated, a grade of “F” will be given for the course. 

**If there is a complaint from a teacher about student’s behavior on a campus, a grade of “F” may be given for the course.     

Attendance

This is an online class and attendance is based on the completion of work assigned in the course modules.  Modules will be open for you to work ahead.  Generally speaking, modules start on a Tuesday morning and run through Monday evenings at 11:59 pm.  That means, all course work for that particular module is due at 11:59 pm on Monday evenings.  Please see the calendar below for more exact due dates.

 

If you have an emergency and are unable to complete the coursework on time, please email the instructor as soon as possible.  

 

Late work is accepted but will not receive full credit.  “Partial credit is better than no credit!

Calendar

 

EDUC 2301 --  Introduction to Special Populations

Each module will open on Tuesday Mornings and be open through Monday nights, closing at 11:59 pm.  All work for the week/module is due by 11:59 pm on Monday nights.  

Module/Week

Reading/Assignment/Homework

Module 1

Week 1

Complete Module 1 Activities Online

First day to do Teacher Observations is August 26, 2019.

Module 2

Weeks 2 & 3

Teaching Texas, 5th Edition
Read Competency 7: Effective Communication

Chapters 1 & 3 from The Inclusive Classroom Text

Complete Module 2 Activities Online

Module 3

Weeks 4 & 5

Teaching Texas, 5th Edition
Read Competency 8: Student Motivation & Engagement

Chapters 4 & 8 from The Inclusive Classroom Text

Complete Module 3 Activities Online

Module 4

Weeks 6 & 7

Teaching Texas, 5th Edition
Read Competency 9: Using Technology  

Chapters 6 & 7 from The Inclusive Classroom Text

Complete Module 4 Activities Online

Module 5

Weeks 8 & 9

Teaching Texas, 5th Edition
Read Competency 10: Assessment

Chapters 5 & 12 from The Inclusive Classroom Text

Complete Module 5 Activities Online

Project #1

Science Lesson Collaboration

Due November 11th by 11:59pm

Module 6

Weeks 10 & 11

Teaching Texas, 5th Edition
Read Competency 11:  Increasing Parental Involvement

Read Competency 12:  Reflective Practice & Responsibility

Complete Module 6 Activities Online

Last day to do Teacher Observations is November 22, 2019.

Module 7

Weeks 12-13

Chapters 2, 10 & 11 from The Inclusive Classroom Text

Complete Module 7 Activities Online

Submit completed Observation Journal online by Monday, December 2nd by 11:59pm.  

Drop off or mail your completed & signed Observation Log Sheet and stamped Thank You Cards by Tuesday, December 3rd by 3:00 pm.  

Amarillo College
Education Office %Rochelle Fouts
PO Box 447
Amarillo TX  79178

Project #2

Competency Project

Due December 9th by 11:59pm

Module 8

Weeks 14-15

Teaching Texas, 5th Edition

Read Competency 13: Legal & Ethical Requirements

Chapter 9 from The Inclusive Classroom Text

Complete Module 8 Activities Online

Module 9

Week 16

Finals Week

Complete Module 8 Activities Online. 

All work is due by Wednesday, December 18th at 11:59pm.

Early submissions are always welcome.

Grades will be posted by noon on Friday, December 20th.

Additional Information

Observation Guidelines
What a wonderful opportunity it is to step into a classroom to increase knowledge and begin to put ideas into your repertoire to become a fabulous teacher! Young students are excited for you to enter into their classroom to observe their learning environment. You will receive guidelines for the observations in class that will assist you in the most successful experience; not following these procedures can cause the student to have points deducted from the observation grade.  The value of the points may vary depending on the offense.  Professionalism cannot be stressed enough!  You are not only representing yourself, but you are also representing Amarillo College, and you are a role model to students you will be observing.  This is an awesome responsibility and we know you will take this experience seriously!

 

This course is a field-based course for all education majors to give students an overview of schooling and classrooms from the perspectives of language, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic, and academic diversity and equity with an emphasis on factors that facilitate learning. It provides an opportunity to participate in P-12 special population classrooms. 

 

The course aligns with the State Board for Educator Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities and Technology Application standards.

 

This course consists of an additional “lab” component and public school observation piece.  This is not an instructor’s option or an optional activity.  It is a state mandate and students not completing these requirements will not receive credit for the course.   

 

Students need to be aware of these requirements and plan accordingly when scheduling work, family responsibilities, and other course load to prevent frustration and disappointment in one of the areas.  Completion and verification of the 16 hours of public school teacher observation is mandatory in order to receive credit for this course.

Syllabus Created on:

07/26/19 12:40 PM

Last Edited on:

07/26/19 12:40 PM