Students develop the knowledge and skills needed to teach children with learning disabilities in grades K-12. This program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on experience to ensure candidates gain a comprehensive education.  This certification is earned in conjunction with a certifiable program in Pk-3, 3-6, 5-9 or 7-12.

State Endorsement Code: SM

MTTC Test Code: 114

Professional Sequence Learning Outcomes:

• Plan, modify and apply evidence based instructional approaches that promote vocabulary growth.
• Implement texts that showcase a variety of viewpoints, genres, literary devices and audiences.
• Cultivate students’ literary identities through motivational and engagement strategies.
• Learn to provide opportunities for active listening and collaborative classroom discussions.
• Possess the knowledge of a plethora of literary texts relevant to secondary learners to encourage reading for pleasure.
• Connect teaching and learning to social contexts that promote student growth of critical consciousness.

The School of Education Program Learning Outcomes:

• SL1.  Faith Integration: Candidates display the Christian principles that are central to the university’s mission.
• SL2. Caring Relationships: Candidates establish caring, supportive relationships with students, families and colleagues.
• RP3.  Disciplinary Knowledge: Candidates demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the skills and frameworks of their content areas appropriate to their certification.
• RP4.  Pedagogy and Instruction: Candidates understand and implement best practices of instruction and deliver well-differentiated and well-aligned instruction that empowers students as learners.
• RP5.  Communication: Candidates demonstrated effective communication skills to enhance teaching and learning.
• RP6. Assessment: Candidates use various types of assessment to evaluate student progress and to improve their instruction.
• RP7.  Classroom Environment: Candidates assess and respond appropriately to the cultures of diverse classrooms, schools, and the community.
• LL8.  Professionalism and Personal Growth: Candidates engage in continuous growth by consistently expanding their professional knowledge, skills and dispositions.

Special Education Learning Disabilities Outcomes:

• Understand types, characteristics, and implications of learning disabilities on the progressions of learning, communication, physical, and social emotional skills development.
• Understand how to assess students with learning disabilities and how to develop individualized plans
• Teach and promote the development of students with learning disabilities
• Communicate and collaborate with students, families, general education teachers, and other members of the learning community
• Be professional and private in all dealings with students with learning disabilities

Curriculum