This program provides preparation leading to certification in the area of Intellectual Disabilities and Elementary Education. Instruction in special education, elementary education, and psychology is designed to give the prospective teacher a strong background for working with students with intellectual disabilities. Directed student teaching is arranged in area public schools. Adding multiple certifications is possible by completing additional courses and obtaining passing scores on the Praxis II examinations.
In addition to the Teacher Education Program Goals and Objectives, the Intellectual Disabilities major is designed to help the prospective teacher reach the following specific goals and objectives.
The goals of the Intellectual Disabilities program at Converse are to:
- Provide a thorough course of study in human growth and development;
- Develop skills in appropriate pedagogy and classroom management; and
- Promote a broad knowledge of the history, theory, and professional practices that are related to students with intellectual disabilities.
- Beginning teacher candidates will provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences.
- Beginning teacher candidates will use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions.
- Beginning teacher candidates will use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning and to select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies.
- Beginning teacher candidates will practice collaboration with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies.
Converse students who complete a major in Intellectual Disabilities will be able to:
- Demonstrate their knowledge of the content in this field;
- Plan, implement, and assess instruction in simulated settings and in real classroom settings;
- Organize and manage effectively both resource and self-contained models of classrooms for students with intellectual disabilities; and
- Demonstrate computer proficiency in instructional technology including the knowledge of skills, strategies, software and hardware to be used in classroom management and computer-assisted instruction.
Required courses: Teacher candidates may only take courses in Benchmark 1 before being admitted to the Teacher Education Program. See the departmental webpage at converse.edu for a list of Benchmark courses and other important information.