Western Piedmont Community College, Morganton Beginning Fall Semester 2009

1. BS/ SPECIAL EDUCATION Bachelor of Science (BS) – Special Education Off-Campus, Degree-Completion Program Western Piedmont Community College, Morganton Beginning Fall Semester 2009

2. EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS • Reich College of Education Students … • Should pursue this program with ENTHUSIASM & PROFESSIONALISM • Should be prepared to meet the rigors of college courses. This cohort provides the same education as the on-campus program. • Should be responsible for meeting program requirements on time. • Should review information and take appropriate actions on time. • Must abide by the regulations, including University Code of Student Conduct & Code of Academic Integrity, as well as facility usage at Western Piedmont Community College. • Should notify the Program Manager of any questions, plans, or changes regarding courses, registration, or status with the cohort.

3. PROGRAM OF STUDY 127 semester hours (sh) are required for graduation Upper-division courses required for the major, will be delivered to the cohort by Appalachian Lower-division courses transfer from a community college (or other accredited institution) There is a precise schedule for delivery of cohort courses that students must follow. Courses are delivered only once to each cohort. Lower-division community college courses are responsibility of student. Equivalency information is provided for required courses.

4. CORE CURRICULUM Community colleges offer core curriculum courses, and some major course requirements. Therefore, Appalachian will normally deliver only required upper-division courses to the cohort.

5. PROFESSIONAL CORE CURRICULUM • CI/SPE 2800 Teachers, Schools, and Learners • PSY 3000 Educational Psychology • FDN 3800 Foundations of American Education • CI/FDN 3850 Literacy, Technology, and Instruction • SPE 4900 Student Teaching (full-time semester) • (12 semester hours. 15 week public school teaching experience in a special education classroom.)

6. COURSES FOR THE MAJOR (The following can be completed prior to formal admission to Teacher Education) • SPE 3100 Introduction to Special Education • FDN 3100 Classroom Use of Microcomputers • SPE 3370 Characteristics, Theories, and Diagnosis for Students with Cognitive Differences • SPE 3360 Psychoeducational Strategies for Students with Special Needs • SPE 3350 Characteristics, Theories, and Diagnosis for Students with Learning Differences

7. COURSES FOR THE MAJOR (The following courses require that students be formally admitted to Teacher Education) • SPE 3374 Special Education Assessment • R E 3900 Principles of Reading Inst. for the Classroom Teacher • R E 4710 Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Problems • SPE 4570 Advocacy and Legislation in Sp. Ed. • SPE 4205 Inclusion • SPE 4601 Classroom Management • SPE 4495 Practicum I • SPE 4215 Strategies of Teaching Math to Students with Disabilities • SPE 4225 Collaborative Relationships in Special Education • SPE 4496 Practicum II

8. Concentrations in Special Education • General Curriculum Concentration: • RE 4620 Reading Instruction in the Middle/Jr. & Sr. High Schools • SPE 4705 Methods for Students with Disabilities • SPE 4405 Strategies for Students with Disabilities • Adapted Curriculum Concentration: • SPE 4410 Assessment and Curriculum • SPE 4420 Methods for Students with Disabilities • SPE 4430 Positive Behavior Support

9. TIME IN SCHOOL SETTINGS • Certain cohort courses require time in actual school settings. You must plan ahead to ensure this additional time can be committed for each: • CI/SPE 2800,Teachers, Schools, and Learners - 35-40 hrs in a public school setting; often accomplished in after-school programs • SPE 4495,Practicum I – 178 hours minimum • SPE 4496, Practicum II –178 hours minimum • For students who pursue both adapted and general curriculums, a third practicum will be required- 178 hours minimum • SPE 4900, Student Teaching – a 12-credit course/full-time in a classroom setting

10. Burke BS/Special Education CohortTentative Schedule of Courses(This schedule assumes General Curriculumas the Concentration. The Adapted Curriculumwould follow a similar pattern. A third practicum (SPE 4496) will be necessary for students who choose to pursue both concentrations.) / Complete PRAXIS I

11. PRAXIS II(taken during Student Teaching) • PRAXIS II tests general and subject- specific pedagogical knowledge and skills as well as the special education concentration. • Students must take the test prior to completion of • student teaching. While a non-passing score will not • prevent a student from graduating; completion of the • test is a graduation requirement. • Courses delivered to this cohort will prepare you well for PRAXIS II.

12. DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION • **Follow Appalachian’s academic calendar, not WPCC’s • Courses will be offered only ONCE to each cohort; students must take courses as they are made available. Any courses not satisfactorily completed must be accomplished asap, where and when possible. • Faculty travel to the site • Evening courses (typically 6:00-9:00 pm) 2 days p/week • Weekend courses possible (e.g. 6:00-9:00pm on Fridays • and/or 9:00am-3:00pm on Saturdays on selected weekends) • Web-based coursework

13. REQUIRED GRADES • You must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on Appalachian coursework, in order to continue to meet Teacher Education requirements. • You must earn a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) in each required major course. C- is not adequate.

14. ADVISING • Advising and assistance will be available from your: • Academic Coordinator –TBA • 800-355-4084 • Advisor for all academic issues - including upper-division coursework, practicums. • Program Manager – Ms. Tiffany Soiset-Sheaff • 800-355-4084 ext 2905 • soistsheafft@appstate.edu • Assists with non-academic and logistical cohort support issues – including applications, registration, teacher education.

15. TRANSFER/Lower-division COURSEWORK • The General Education Core is to be completed outside the cohort program (either before or during), by one of the following methods: • CAA/44 hour community college core (transfer program) • AA (Associate of Arts) • AS (Associate of Science) • Transfer coursework applied to Appalachian’s General Education core • Note: The AAS (Associate in Applied Science) alone will not automatically meet the general education core requirements; individual courses are reviewed for transfer to Appalachian.

16. WPCC contact • For advising on the following (at WPCC): • CAA/44 hour community college core • AA (Associate of Arts) • AS (Associate of Science) • Please contact: • Mr. Wingate Cain: 828-448-3159; wcain@wpcc.edu

17. TRANSFER/Lower-division COURSEWORK cont. • Concurrent enrollment = ASU + community college coursework - is allowed during this program • Community college grades do not transfer; only courses & hours. However, at least a 2.0 gpa must be maintained on transfer coursework • Transcripts of new community college transfer work must be sent to Extension & Distance Ed. at the end of each semester

18. ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION • Teacher Education status is required of all education majors. In order to register for cohort courses Fall 2010 and beyond, you must meet all requirements and be admitted to Teacher Education by the College of Education. The cohort’s Program Manager will assist you with the application process. • Before the Fall 2010 semester – you must have: • Attained acceptable scores on PRAXIS I (or an equivalent) • Total college credit of at least 45 sh • Completed at least 12 sh, and a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA, on Appalachian coursework • Completed CI/SPE 2800, and the equivalent of ENG 1000 - with a minimum of a “C” (2.0) grade in both • Completed a speech/hearing clinical assessment; this will be delivered to the cohort

19. PRAXIS I SCORES PRAXIS I measures basic skills in reading, writing, and math – and sufficient scores are required for formal admission into Teacher Education. Minimum scores, required by the NC Dept. of Public Instruction: Reading 176 Writing 173 Mathematics 173 or a total of at least 522 or sufficient SAT/ACT scores

20. SAT or ACT in lieu of PRAXIS I Students may be exempted from PRAXIS I (PPST) with sufficient SAT or ACT scores:

21. PRAXIS I PREPARATION • www.ets.org provides PRAXIS registration and preparation information – including free, downloadable test prep documents. • Search the Appalachian Library catalog: “Pre-Professional Skills Tests Study Guides” Info can be mailed to you, and is shelved at selected Appalachian Learning Alliance libraries. The Distance Learning Reference Library desk: toll-free 877-423-0086 or live chat www.library.appstate.edu/distance_learning. • Workbooks are available online and through bookstores • Community college developmental courses focus on subjects • Additional assistance may be delivered, given sufficient demand

22. PRAXIS I TESTING LOCATIONS • Testing locations are also listed in PRAXIS I registration information and online: www.ets.org/praxis • Appalachian offers the CBT version throughout the year and on selected Saturdays and Monday evenings. (Students may now take the CBT once each month up to 6 times a year) www.testing.appstate.edu

23. RESOURCES • Library materials and resources are available electronically, through the mail, and on-site. • Appalachian’s student identification cards will be created and mailed to you. An ID card is required for access to on-campus library materials. • A student financial account and student computer account will be assigned to you. Student Accounts Office: 800-355-4084 ext 2113, and AppalNet/Technical Support: 800-355-4084 ext 6266. • Contact your program manager (or another support member as needed): Office of Extension & Distance Education • 800-355-4084 & www.ext-dl.appstate.edu

24. GRADUATION • Appalachian’s commencement occurs each May and December. On- and off-campus students graduate together on the Boone campus. • This cohort is scheduled • to graduate May 2013 …