Inclusion: Dual Licensure in Special Education (Mild and Intense Intervention) and Elementary Education

Purdue University in West Lafayette

The inclusion program unifies elementary education and special education teacher preparation to prepare future teachers to meet the unique needs of elementary students with and without disabilities. The inclusion program focuses on the knowledge, disposition and skills necessary to effectively serve students with various educational needs in kindergarten through sixth grade. This undergraduate program underscores critical thinking and data-driven decision making. The program is grounded in evidence-based practices that emphasizes deep knowledge in all content areas; fostering the application of content knowledge to the classroom; differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students; and understanding the contextual aspects of teaching (e.g. the organizational and policy context).

The inclusion: dual licensure in special education (mild and intense intervention) and elementary education program links courses with field experiences in partner school settings. Students are given opportunities to practice specialized skills to meet the individual needs of elementary students with and without disabilities in the classroom; develop individualized education programs; engage in data-driven decision making; and develop instructional, material and environmental modifications to support access to general education curricula. The inclusion program leverages and extends competencies of elementary teachers to build effective instruction and support for all learners.

A graduate in this major is qualified to teach children in general education grades kindergarten through sixth grade, as well as special education for students with support needs ranging from mild to intense. Graduates are prepared to support all leaners across a continuum of placements and to collaborate with a variety of professionals to meet the needs of students. The inclusion plan of study outlines the required courses to complete the degree for licensure.