Special Education Administration Graduate Certificate

This course is a survey of the legal bases of public education in the United States and of contemporary legal issues and cases affecting the practice of school administration. Although the primary objective is to acquaint the student with the legal principles governing public education in the nation and the State of Maine, special attention will be given to those topics of school law which are, or should be, of immediate concern to the practicing school administrator.

This course is designed to provide an overview of educational organizations and the change process with attention to the impact of diversity on the local context. It draws on literature about organizational behavior, change, diversity, leadership, and professional learning communities. The course begins with an analysis of organizations and moves to a focused examination of the change process. Specifically it will support a framework that acknowledges the important role that families, communities, and culture play on educational practic

This course provides an overview of supervisory practice in public schools. It draws upon effective schools, effective teaching, teacher and adult development, and supervisory practice literature as a foundation for direct assistance to teachers and general supervisory work. The course includes Maine State Law regarding hiring and dismissal practices, just cause, contract issues, dismissal, non-renewal, progressive discipline, and complaint investigation.

This course presents a comprehensive introduction to resource acquisition, management, and leadership at the school level. Further, it is designed to engage students in exploring the practical realities of resource leadership and to examine in depth their own skills and knowledge in light of their goals for school leadership. Specifically, in the course students will: 1) develop a comprehensive understanding of resource acquisition, management, and deployment as a central part of their leadership effectiveness; 2) understand the procedural and legal parameters for financial and other resource acquisition, management, and deployment; and 3) build skills and understanding for leading this dimension of the school effectively.

This course will explore how educators (teachers and administrators) can establish an inclusive vision and advocate to create a school or systemwide plan for equitable and excellent learning for all students. We will examine historical, legal, practical and theoretical perspectives on the culture and systems of special education and inclusive schooling. Students will study the research, issues, and outcomes from school leaders and educational researchers committed to advancing equity, social justice, and inclusive school reform. By the end of the course, students will have a deep historical, theoretical, and ethical understanding of inclusive school reform, as well as experience with practical tools, analysis, and applications to seek, create, and sustain equitable schools, especially for marginalized students.

Participants in the Certificate in Special Education Administration may also elect to enroll in the following courses in order to fulfill the coursework for additional certification requirements:

• SED 518 – Special Education Law
  • This course will provide prospective and practicing educators and school administrators with a working knowledge of relevant laws, policies, and regulations related to students with disabilities. Laws and regulations pertaining to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Maine special education regulations, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act will be discussed. Major course topics include Special Education eligibility and IEP development, student discipline, and curriculum access. The historical significance and practical application of laws affecting students with disabilities in school will be emphasized. In particular, the focus of the course will be on making effective educational decisions for students with disabilities.
• EDU 554 – Internship in School Leadership
  • This course will be designed to allow students to demonstrate competency with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. Students will complete the 320-hour internship as required by the Department of Education for building leaders; and will be designed in collaboration with the student, the internship mentor, and the instructor of EDU 554. The field experience will be combined with an applied research project in school leadership, and is designed to encourage the application of formal coursework to the leadership issues faced by school leaders.