The focus of this course is to address federal and state laws, regulations and policies, dealing with special education programs/students. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the court cases which help set the precedent for programs across the United States and then also those which shaped policy in Wisconsin. The course will address different entitlement dollars that follow programming/students and their intended assistance. Prerequisite: admission to the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services licensure program.

The focus of this course will be to gain an understanding of the criteria for each of the eleven categories to help IEP teams decide if a child has a disability, and a solid array of instructional strategies to assist the child. It will look at assessments ranging from individual to common to the childs response to interventions. Assistive technology will be incorporated as well as the concept of universal design and conflict management in line with strategies for dealing with the frustrations of all participants.

The focus of the course will be the role of pupil services in supporting safe and healthy schools. These include school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and school nurses. Awareness of legal implications of student records, storage, confidentiality, and directory data will be understood, along with mandatory attendance (truancy). Students will also gain an understanding of nondiscrimination (section 504), "at risk" and prevention/interventions as part of their professional responsibilities.

Managing the financial resources of the school district is a major responsibility of the school business administrator. This class will review the principles associated with sound financial management: principals of school financing, preparing school budget, evaluate and the communication of the budget, working with the board, and standards of accounting.

This course will provide an understanding of the day to day functions of a school business administrator and support staff duties. Concepts that will be reviewed: purchasing systems, local-state-federal budget processes, accounting-auditing and financial reporting.

This course complements Financial Resources I and build upon the basic concepts that need to be understood and applied as a school business administrator. Concepts to be covered include: inventory management, zoning and dispersal of property/buildings, insurance coverage and risk management.

Provides aspiring administrators the opportunity to focus on building level organizational issues that will enhance student achievement at the pre-school, elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Topics addressed include staffing patterns, schedule development, school budgeting, staff relations, and the components for creating a positive learning environment for students in both the general and special education programs. Restricted to IA PRIN students only.

School, Family, and Community Relations provides aspiring administrators with knowledge, skills, and demonstrated performances to engage parents, families, and communities in supporting student achievement. The candidates will develop an action plan for increased parent/family/community engagement that addresses student learning. Restricted to IA PRIN students only.

Provides aspiring administrators with an understanding of the legal aspects of education with a focus on administration-related applications. Knowledge is acquired in the areas of education and the legal system, employee rights and obligations, student rights and discipline, tort liability, and public-private school-related legal issues. A particular emphasis will be placed upon the federal and state mandates in special education. Restricted to IA PRIN students only.

Provides aspiring administrators with knowledge, skills, and demonstrated performances in the evaluation of teachers based on the Iowa Teaching Standards. Successful completion of this course completes the requirements for the evaluator approval certification, required for principals by the Iowa Department of Education. Restricted to IA PRIN students only.