This course enhances teachers’ ability to develop instructional programs to assess, instruct, and support students with diverse learning needs. Special emphasis is given to special education, English language learners and economically disadvantaged students.

This course introduces teachers to the design, methodologies, and techniques necessary to understand educational research and to use “scientifically-based research” in making informed decisions which can positively impact student achievement. An emphasis is placed on action research.

This course provides a foundation for developing relationships with stakeholders within the school community; students, faculty, parents, and the community at large for the expressed goal of supporting student learning. A fundamental purpose of the course is to understand and implement strategies to develop essential partnerships between schools and the larger community to foster student learning and achievement.

This course provides educators a basic understanding of the strengths and structure of learning communities with a focus on developing a culture of change and improvement for student learning. Special emphasis is given to facilitation skills, team building, and mentoring.

This course provides teachers a foundation to understand the legal, ethical, and policy dimensions of education. Special emphasis is given to the interpretation of case law, Texas Education Code, and federal and state statutes.

This course provides a foundation for the modification of a wide range of educational components such as content knowledge, methods of instruction, and students' learning outcomes through the alteration of materials and programs for a diverse group of learners. Adaptive technologies, differentiated materials, and innovative research-based instructional strategies are explored and applied through practical applications in the K-12 learning environment.

This course provides a study of cognition, learning theories and frameworks, the psychology of learning, and related research that is most significant for the learning and instructional process. Special emphasis is placed on the applications of these principles to support high academic achievement of students.

This course emphasizes the foundations of curricular and instructional design and introduces teachers to models of curriculum development. Special attention is given to understanding the role of state curriculum standards and district policies in planning curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

This course emphasizes creative multimodal strategies to support teachers across disciplines and subjects. Students develop instructional strategies to challenge high performing and gifted and talented students. Special attention is given to creative expression and to authentic student performance-based work, such as project-based learning and inquiry.

This course supports teachers as they develop the competencies to utilize formative and summative assessment practices and data to inform and guide curriculum development and instruction. Special emphasis is given to analyzing classroom and school-based assessment results to aid in meeting the needs of diverse learners.

This course prepares teachers to establish high expectations for all students and to effectively evaluate and implement theories of motivation and cognitive engagement in classroom learning. Emphasis will be placed on different theories of motivation, and how classroom, school, work, and social environments shape and influence student motivation.

This is a synthesis course where students will examine what they have studied and learned through the course of the program and reflect on how this new learning will impact their practices in their classroom and as a teacher leader on their campus and/or in their district.