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Teaching Students with Exceptionalities
ECE103 | 3 Credits
Learn what professionals can do to educate students with special needs alongside their peers without exceptionalities. In Teaching Students with Exceptionalities, you’ll learn the history, definitions, causes, characteristics, and identification of exceptional students that can help you make more informed teaching decisions.
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About Teaching Students with Exceptionalities
What You’ll Learn
In this Teaching Students with Exceptionalities online course, you’ll consider what it means to teach exceptional students and learn how to create a valuable experience for them. Gain an understanding of what professionals can do to educate students with special needs alongside peers without exceptionalities to the maximum extent appropriate.
- Understand an overview of the history of special education and how it has helped shape the current practices in special education.
- Identify the principles and procedures associated with placing and serving students in special education and the guidelines established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).
- Engage in discussion about the important role collaboration plays in orchestrating successful outcomes for students with special needs and how schools and communities come together to implement best practices.
- Review how to identify and teach students with learning disabilities, and review the considerations for the general education teacher as well.
- Understand the characteristics, causes, and educational needs of students with intellectual disabilities and discuss the importance of encouraging high expectations for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Discuss the history and definitions of emotional and behavioral disorders and identify strategies for working with students with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD).
- Review the speech and language disorders and how they fall under the broad category of communication disorders, and discuss issues surrounding English language learners.
- Consider the research on possible causes of autism spectrum disorders and apply controversial theories regarding the causes of autism.
- Consider the history and foundations of the term “at risk,” and define it and the prevalence factors of at-risk students.
- Engage in discussion about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and the prevalence figures, as well as the history and definitions of AD/HD.
- Identify the history and foundational information of gifted education and review models of intelligence and learning while identifying modifications, including enrichment and acceleration.
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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
In Teaching Students with Exceptionalities, you will learn the history, definitions, prevalence, causes, characteristics, and identification of exceptional students that need to be understood in order to make informed teaching decisions.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0116
Flexible Schedule
30-day Average Course Completion
Transferred 162,000 Times
$165,200,000 Saved on Tuition
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take Teaching Students with Exceptionalities.
Course Text
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.
- Smiley, L. R., Richards, S. B., & Taylor, R. L. (2022). Exceptional students: Preparing teachers for the 21st century (4th ed). McGraw-Hill.
Course Checkpoints
Introduction to Special Education
- Overview of Special Education—Exceptional Students and Special Education
- History and Litigation of Special Education
- Current Issues
- Special Education Processes—The Identification Process
- Student Eligibility
- Exceptional Students' Education Program
- School and Family Collaborations—What is Collaboration?
- Best Practices for School Personnel and Families
- Community Collaboration
High and Low Prevalence Exceptionalities—Part 1
- Students with Learning Disabilities—Foundations and Causes
- Identification and Teaching
- Instructional Considerations
High and Low Prevalence Exceptionalities—Part 2
- Students with Intellectual Disabilities—Foundations and Causes
- Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders—Foundations and Causes
- Students with Communication Disorders—Foundations and Causes
- Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders—Foundations and Causes
Other Exceptionalities
- Students Who Are at Risk—Foundations and Factors
- Students with ADHD—Foundations and Causes
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 11 Quizzes
- 11 Case Studies
- 1 Slide Presentation
- 2 Lesson Plans
What You’ll Need
- A reliable computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Any required course materials
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Exceptional Students, Exceptional Teachers
Students with exceptionalities benefit tremendously from dynamic teachers. By learning practical strategies and a deeper understanding of different student needs, you can create an inclusive environment where every learner has the chance to thrive. Whether you teach in early childhood, K–12, or higher education, these are skills that will serve you well in any classroom.
Why it matters:
- Education is one of the most impactful and stable career fields, with teachers in demand nationwide.
- The median annual wage for educators was above the national average in 2024, with educators and librarians earning a median wage of $59,220.
How this course sets you up for success:
Elementary School Teacher, Middle School Teacher, High School Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Instructional Coordinator, and School Counselor
How this course sets you up for success:
Understanding how to teach students with exceptionalities equips you with strategies to create more inclusive classrooms. These skills prepare you to meet the diverse needs of learners and strengthen your foundation for your career in education.
3 Credits
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