EDS772 Resource Allocation for Special Education Directors (3 cr.)

The emphasis of this course is on budget planning, allocation, monitoring, reporting, and auditing practices as applied to special education programs and school districts in Minnesota.  Financial systems at the state, district, and school levels are examined. Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as revised, is studied specifically as it relates to financial support. Potential sources of funding for educational technologies and specialized instructional strategies used to support special education programs and students are examined.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Describe current systems of special education funding in Minnesota.     
2. Demonstrate understanding of revenue sources used to finance special education in Minnesota.  
3. Apply the principles of fund accounting used in the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting System (UFARS) for Minnesota Schools in development of budgets and the chart of accounts.
4. Evaluate differing methods of budget development, their implementation, and their strengths and limitations in special education in Minnesota.
5. Analyze requirements, guidelines, and options for staffing special education systems in Minnesota.
6. Analyze the advantages, liabilities, and appropriate use of various assistive technologies and special education instructional strategies.
7. Evaluate funding options to support technologies and specialized treatments.