EDU 8017 - Creating Systems for Effective Family, School, and Community Partnerships: Special Ed.

This course will provide students with the skills and knowledge system-level school administrators need to operate with a full continuum of stakeholders. An emphasis will be placed on laws, policies, procedures, and systems that allow for collaborative approaches to engage families, community providers, and lawmakers in creating services that support people with disabilities. Students will apply theories and best practices to develop healthy community partnerships. Highlights of the course include: . Understanding of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 50, local and state initiatives in the areas of child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, and social services . Analysis of past and present educational policies to insure access and equity in school community . Major issues facing families such as home-school relations and poverty . Theories, attitudes, techniques, and strategies for managing conflict, solving problems, negotiating, and decision making . Family-centered, culturally responsive practice principles and empowerment strategies . Analysis of school-linked and community-based partnerships aimed at enhancing the well-being of children, youth, families, and school community . Examining and creating structures and operations of effective collaborative teams . Developing and cultivating mutually beneficial relationships between stakeholders, including individuals, families, community providers, businesses, and lawmakers . Facilitation of partnership integration internal and external supports through positive family engagement . Mobilization of community resources to promote student success

3.00