Department of Curriculum and Instruction

College of Education

East Carolina University

Speight Building

Greenville, NC  27858

252-328-6181 office

252-328-1523 fax

   

To:        Chair, EPCC

From:   Program of Special Education Graduate Task Force

CC:      Dr. Patricia Anderson, Dr. Sandra Warren, Dr. Linda Patriarca

Date:    4/13/2010

Re:       Proposed MAT Courses in Special Education

The Master’s of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program provides a mechanism for college graduates to enter teacher education and earn an initial teaching license. Special education continues to be identified as a “high need” area in the state and nationally. The shortage of qualified teachers in special education is persistent and pervasive across districts and schools.

Adding the six proposed courses to the existing MAT program will make it possible for students to earn the initial license in special education – general curriculum. The proposed courses parallel the scope and sequence of the elementary and middle grades concentrations in the MAT, with one exception: Students choosing a concentration in other areas such as elementary complete a survey special education course during the final summer of the program. Students choosing a concentration in special education will be required to complete a survey special education course as a condition for admission to the program. If not already reflected on their undergraduate transcripts, they can receive conditional admissions and complete this course during Summer I, prior to beginning the MAT. During the final summer session of their program MAT-SPED students will take SPED 6008 – Linking Research and Practice in Special Education in place of the SPED 6000 survey course taken by other MAT students.

As in the other areas of concentration, the special education concentration coursework will be completed during the Fall semester, with the exception of SPED 6008. Participants in the program will be required to meet all of the entrance and exit requirements of the College of Education’s MAT program. Courses are designed to reflect the INTASC, CEC, and NC-DPI licensure competencies for an initial license in special education – general curriculum. The combination of proposed courses meets the new licensure requirements of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, reflecting 21st Century goals, skills and the products required in DPI’s Blueprint for Change.

The six courses were approved as follows:

 

Curriculum &Instruction Curriculum Committee – November 20, 2009

College of Education Curriculum Committee – December 7, 2009

Council for Teacher Education – December 14, 2009

Graduate Curriculum Committee – February 17th 2008