Course Overview

Read through the information below carefully before enrolling. For further information, please consult the FAQ linked at the top of this page.

Course Description

This is a comprehensive course designed to provide paraprofessionals with a solid foundation in special education. The course begins with the story of a paraprofessional entering the special education field, followed by an opening reflection and a pre-assessment. Participants will develop a basic understanding of special education vocabulary and explore the purpose and foundation of special education. They will learn about the qualification process for students in special education and gain knowledge of the various disability categories. The course features BHSSC-created instructional videos divided into 10-minute segments, each followed by a reflection. Participants will acquire a deeper understanding of the most common disability categories and learn effective instructional strategies to support students with special needs. The course concludes with a post-assessment to gauge the participants' understanding of the material.

Course Goals

• "To develop a basic understanding of special education vocabulary"
• "Explore the foundation and intended purpose of special education"
• "Understand how students quality for special education"
• "Understand the various possible disability categories in special education"
• "Develop a deeper understanding of the most common disability categories and take away some instructional strategies"

Estimated Time: ½ Hour to 2 Hours 

This self-paced course typically requires half an hour to two hours to complete, though the actual time may vary based on individual factors.

Access and Credentials

Click on "enroll now" to begin enrolling in the Course listing. After registering, click on “Canvas” at the top of the page to access your course in Canvas.

Free for Members

This course is a TIE Member course. It is free for educators from TIE Member schools with a code. If you do not know your code, please use the link at the top of this page to reach out and request it.

Bulk Enrollment

Administrators, PLC leaders, and others can enroll their whole team; there's an option for bulk enrollment in the Catalog for registering multiple members. You first need to reserve and purchase multiple enrollments. After that, you can invite individuals to your purchased seats.

Team Discount

If registering 20 or more individuals for a team or district, reach out to BLicht@bhssc.org to arrange for special pricing before purchasing.

Credentials: 1 CECH

After completing this course, you can obtain 1 CECH (continuing education contact hours) for South Dakota. CECH/CEUs are free of charge and can be obtained instantly upon completing all requirements.