Master of Science [M.S] [Education - Childhood and Childhood Special Education] From St. John's University

The program prepares graduates to:

Demonstrate knowledge of human developmental processes and variations

• Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of culture, heritage, socioeconomic level, personal health, and safety, past or present abusive or dangerous environments, and factors in the home, school, and community on readiness to learn of students who have mild to profound disabilities.
• Identify the skills needed in each of these circumstances to create a safe and nurturing learning environment for students with mild to profound disabilities.
• Describe the nature of students in the full range of disabilities and special needs and the effect of those disabilities and needs on learning and behavior.
• Describe the skills needed to identify strengths, individualize instruction, and collaborate with others to prepare student with disabilities and special needs for their highest levels of academic achievement and independence.

Develop skills that facilitate the use of research in the broader context of special and inclusive education

• Demonstrate knowledge of qualitative and quantitative educational methodologies
• Research the literature in the field of education related to inclusion and propose scholarly research questions based on a review of the literature.
• Summarize the findings of research articles from different methodological perspectives
• Write, concise, informed reviews of the literature about topics related to inclusion, citing relevant research using the style of the American Psychiatric Association, and formulate thesis questions

Recognize and interpret the significance of developmental deviations manifested by individuals with disabilities through formal and informal methods of assessment:

• Demonstrate knowledge of legal, ethical, technical, and practical areas in diagnosis and evaluation of students with disabilities
• Demonstrate measurement and test construction as related to students with disabilities
• Interpret standardized diagnostic instruments and procedures for the evaluation ofcognitive, psychomotor, and affective functioning of students with disabilities
• Use the various forms of informal assessment in the diagnosis and evaluation of students with disabilities
• Demonstrate knowledge of the variety of ways in which the results of formal and informal assessment can be used to improve instruction and the instructional environment of exceptional students.
• Interpret the work and value of the various professionals forming the multidisciplinary teams who are involved in the variety of decision-making necessary to assist students with disabilities.
• Analyze, evaluate, and construct case studies which provide appraisals of students with disabilities and interpret and use collected data in the formulation of their educational needs and plans.

Use the basic principles and strategies of the science of applied behavior analysis with students who have disabilities

• Describe the foundations, philosophy, and methodology of the science of applied behavior analysis
• Present and write using the terminology of the science of applied behavior analysis
• Define, measure, analyze, and implement valid behavioral strategies in classroom settings
• Summarize pertinent research from the literature of the science

Create and implement educational programs for children with disabilities

• Demonstrate a foundation of language arts, math, and sciences, breadth and depth of knowledge of each subject taught, knowledge of subject matter pedagogy, curriculum development and educational technology.
• Demonstrate competence in adapting curricula in Reading and the Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science for exceptional learners.
• Demonstrate the use of technology as it applies to instruction and curricula areas for children with disabilities
• Implement instructional change by using curriculum adaptation, targeting instructional aims as they relate to standard curricula, preparing effective long-term and short term objectives (benchmarks), and planning of individualized education programming (I.E.P.s) for students with exceptionalities.
• Use various types of alternative assessment procedures to analyze student performance and to plan curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of individual students.

Assess and evaluate the development and implementation of effective strategies for children with learning and behavior challenges in the classroom setting

• Identify strengths and needs of students, individualize and modify instruction, evaluate performance outcomes and collaborate effectively with other teachers, paraprofessionals, supervisors, parents, and related service professionals to prepare students with disabilities to meet all academic and life goals.
• Use technology as a learning resource to address the needs of all learners when developing and implementing instructional strategies

Interpret and apply standards of professional and state organizations:

• Apply the principles of the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) and Teacher Education Division of CEC (TED)
• Demonstrate how to incorporate the goals of New York State Learning Standards for Special Education across all special education instruction.
• Demonstrate how research findings of professional organizations can be used to strengthen and update professional practice