Introduction to Special Populations Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-2301-005 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 Resources Student 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Textbook and Vantage Code: 
Special Education In Contemporary Society

Book and Vantage Code

Gargiulo Copyright 2025 8th Edition 

ISBN:  9798348808396

Textbook is available through AC's Bookstore.  https://www.bookstore.actx.edu/ 

Supplies

A computer/laptop with Internet access to Blackboard Learning.

The required textbook and online access code.  

Spiral notebook or Composition notebook

As part of this course, a criminal background check will be required to complete the 16 hours of observation.  As a student observer, you understand and agree that you must provide a driver's license or state ID card, a social security number, and a date of birth to facilitate the background check.  

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.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
  • Describe the characteristics of exceptional learners (e.g. Learning Disabilities, Gifted and Talented), including legal implications.
  • Describe and analyze characteristics of diverse learners (e.g. language, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity) and how diversity impacts learning.
  • Describe the impact of socio-economic status on learning and creating equitable classrooms.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and challenges of racial, ethnic, and other types of cultural diversity in the classroom.

Students 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

• Professionalism:  You are an AC student enrolled in a future teacher Educator Preparation Program (EPP).  Proper grammar and punctuation are always expected when communicating with the instructor. Text lingo and incomplete sentences are not acceptable.

• Active Learner:  Take part in the course regardless of the setting.  You are responsible for due dates.  Please look at your learning as professional growth, not just a grade!

  • The AC Academic Success Centers are here to help you in person and virtually!  Visit their website to set up a time.  

  • Tutoring is assigned to any student whose overall course performance falls below 75%. Please see the Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy above for more information. 

• Proactive: Be proactive in situations rather than reactive.  Please promptly let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Use your Blackboard Calendar to stay organized.

• Academic Integrity:  Work honestly for your benefit.  Make sure all required signatures are from valid, certified personnel.  Ensure you provide proper citations for the work of others, including AI.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) NEVER replaces YOU!  However, you may use AI as a resource and/or tool for your development as an educator.  When AI impacts your ability to think critically, you are NOT using it as a resource and/or tool, and it defeats the purpose of the course!

    • You will earn a zero on any assignment or portion of an assignment that is not properly cited using APA formatting.  When you use AI, it MUST be cited… (AI Generator Used, topic, date generated)

    • Example: (ChatGPT, classroom management, February 11, 2023).

  • When completing Video assignments in the course, please 

    • Make sure you are presenting professionally.  Consider your environment, dress code, and use of professional language.

    • When presenting, do not read straight from your notes.  You may use prompts/notes to guide the response; however, your language should be conversational and engaging.

    • Follow the specific instructions for the lesson given by your instructor.

• Punctuality: ALL ASSIGNMENTS are due on or before the due date. A maximum of 70% will be earned if submitted within 7 days of the original due date.  Zeros will remain in the gradebook after a week. The 7-day policy does not apply to your final.

• Observation Hours: Completing and verifying the 16-hour observation log sheet and journal is mandatory to receive credit for this course.  The start/end dates for observations will be discussed online in class. 

  • When observing:  Wear some form of identification.  You represent Amarillo College and yourself; be professional and dress professionally.  Be gracious to the educators who allow you to observe in their classroom.  DO NOT use technology of any kind during your observation.  Take anecdotal notes with a pencil and paper.  

  • As part of this course, a criminal background check will be required to complete the 16 hours of observation.  As a student observer, you understand and agree that you must provide a driver's license or state ID card, a social security number, and a date of birth to facilitate the background check.  

  • If you are observing in Amarillo ISD, Canyon ISD, or Hereford ISD, you will be assigned an observation teacher.  All other school districts will require you to contact the school and set those up.  More information will be provided in Blackboard. 

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

Observation Journal & Log Sheet  = 40% of Final Grade
In-Class & Blackboard Learning Activities = 20% of Final Grade

Class Attendance = 20% of Final Grade
Projects =  20% of Final Grade

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

• All assignments are due on or before the due date. Late work will be accepted, but will not receive full credit unless stated in a particular Blackboard assignment. A maximum of 70% will be earned if submitted within 7 days of the original due date.  Zeros will remain in the grade book after a week. The 7-day policy does not apply to your final.

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

  • If a cooperating teacher files a complaint about a student’s behavior during observations, a grade of “F” may be given for the course.

• Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall course performance falls below 75%. Please see the Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy above for more information. 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) NEVER replaces YOU!  However, you may use AI as a resource and/or tool for your development as an educator.  When AI impacts your ability to think critically, you are NOT using it as a resource and/or tool, and it defeats the purpose of the course.

• You will earn a zero on any assignment or portion of an assignment that is not correctly cited using APA formatting, INCLUDING the use of AI. When you use AI, it MUST be cited… (AI Generator Used, topic, date generated.  Example: (ChatGPT, classroom management, February 11, 2023).

• When completing Video assignments in the course, please 

  • Make sure you are presenting professionally.  Consider your environment, dress code, and use of professional language.

  • When presenting, do not read straight from your notes.  You may use prompts/notes to guide the response; however, your language should be conversational and engaging.

  • Follow the specific instructions for the lesson given by your instructor.

  • Late recordings and reviews are NOT accepted. Please plan accordingly. 

  • Excuses will not be considered or accepted.

Attendance

This is a Hybrid course, and in-person attendance is required for every class session. Attendance will be recorded at the start of each class. You will earn a 100 for attending and a 0 for missing class, excused or not. Please note that lectures and group discussions cannot be made up or replicated.

In addition, you will need to complete assignments on both Blackboard and Sage-Vantage. Refer to the calendar below for specific due dates. If an emergency prevents you from attending class or submitting coursework on time, please email the instructor immediately. While late submissions are allowed, they will not receive full credit. For more details, please review the Grading Criteria section above.

Calendar

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.