Foundations

Each module in the Professional Development Alternatives for Exceptional Student Educators Program has been developed to provide the user with the most current information available. The activities and assignments have been designed with the adult learner in mind and are based on the following Florida's Exceptional Student Education Competencies, established July, 2002

Knowledge of foundations of exceptional student education skills

• Identify state and federal legislation and case law that have affected the education of students with disabilities.
  
• Identify appropriate practices based on legal and ethical standards (e.g., due process, procedural safeguards, confidentiality, access to general education, least restrictive environment, transition planning, and free appropriate public education).
  
• Identify the required components of Individual Educational Plans, Family Support Plans, and Individual Transition Plans.
  
• Identify the classification systems and eligibility criteria under the current Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
  
• Compare the development and characteristics (e.g., language, cognitive/academic, social/emotional, and physical/motor) of children with disabilities to typical development and characteristics.
  
• Recognize the roles and responsibilities of IEP and child study team members.
  
• Identify models of support for providing assistance in general education curricula.