CONT505: Special Education Part 2

Course Schedule

Course Description

This course offers educators an in-depth exploration of special education and inclusion, grounded in social justice, rights-based, anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks. Through case studies and real-world scenarios, you will shift from deficit-based models to a social and rights-based understanding of inclusion. By critically examining your own preconceptions, biases and assumptions, you will transform your approach to supporting learners with special education needs in inclusive classrooms. You will finish the course with a deeper understanding of your role as an advocate for equity and inclusion, equipping yourself with the tools to create systemic change that honors the rights and dignity of all learners.

What You Will Learn and Do

In this course, you will

• reflect critically on the educator's beliefs about inclusion
• examine the Ontario College of Teachers’ Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession as theoretical foundations within Special Education Part 2
• explore the human rights obligations and policies related to special education, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, (2006) and the United Nations General Comment No. 4 on Article 24 – The Right to Inclusive Education
• review theories and pedagogies of multiple forms of oppression as applied to special education programs and practices
• examine current research and literature associated with professional practices, policies and pedagogies in Special Education Part 2
• explore research on the historical impact of societal norms on special education
• assess a school's model of inclusion
• explore case studies and situations to shift perspectives from deficit-based to social and rights-based models
• transform approaches to supporting learners with diverse learning needs in inclusive educational settings
• develop a deeper understanding of the educator's role as an advocate for equity and inclusion
• create systemic change to uphold the rights and dignity of all learners
• analyze preconceived notions, biases and assumptions in special education

Application Requirements

1. OCT Membership showing completion of Part 1
2. CONFIRMATION OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE FORM Signed by a Supervisory Official* from your Board confirming that you have one year (194 days) of teaching experience since becoming a certified teacher.

*The Ontario College of Teachers defines "Supervisory Official" as the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of the school board for a teacher employed by a Board of Education. A principal or headmaster is not recognized in this capacity. For a teacher employed by a private school, the "supervisory official" is the Ministry of Education official (Education Officer) appointed to your school. For overseas experience the appropriate Supervisory Official is the person your Principal reports to.

**Please note that if you have an existing Part 2, Part 3 (Specialist), or Honour Specialist qualification on your OCT record you are not required to submit a form for a Part 2 course. A new form is always required for Part 3 (Specialist).

Course Materials

Accommodations

Applicants who require accommodations for a specific learning need (e.g., learning disability) within their AQ/ABQ course, should click here for further information and support.

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Refund Schedule

If you drop a course:

1. by the midpoint of the course, you will receive 100% of your course fee.
2. after the midpoint, before the end of the course, you will receive 50% of your course fee.

For more about our refund policies, visit our Fees & Refunds page.