The Department of Teaching and Learning is committed to preparing high-quality professionals in Special Education who are able to address the academic needs of all students. The Special Education Bachelor of Science Program provides our graduates with the theoretical and practical knowledge to meet the specific needs of urban students using research-based practices to support individual student needs and to address the diversity reflected within urban environments, while valuing the academic standards of the profession.

The Special Education Program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and is offered in a unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The primary objectives of the Special Education Program is to prepare teacher candidates who are equipped with knowledge and skills to effectively teach and meet the academic needs of all students; as well as to:

1. Plan and engage children in activities through exploration, experimentation, and discovery;
2. Effectively teach and meet the academic needs of all students in special programs;
3. Teach students with their exceptionalities in mind using meaningful and challenging experiences;
4. Demonstrate the ability to establish learning environments that are safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive to effectively teach students with exceptionalities;
5. Engage with students the exceptionalities consistent with ethical principles and practices;
6. Deconstruct curricula, be familiar with curricula organization, objectives, and procedures; as well as the instructional resources of the school and community to effectively implement curricula;
7. Apply knowledge and skills acquired during practical experiences to effectively analyze teaching practices and experiences while engaging in the selection, planning, presentation, and evaluation of content knowledge;
8. Apply and reflect on the practical application of theories and principles of learning to support and motivate learners;
9. Knowledgeable collaborate with the boarder community of education professionals and practice continuous professional growth; and
10. Engage with current research to plan and apply tenets of practitioner research that demonstrate effective assessment of student learning and use those data to support learners and improve practices.
11. Apply knowledge and skills in the use of technology to support instruction, access and manipulate data, enhance professional growth and productivity; communicate; and conduct research.

Classroom experiences are gained from participation of practical experiences in the School of Education’s Professional Development Schools (PDS).