Samantha Fazio
COM/516 Professional Communications
May 14, 2012
Jacob Green
The Graduate Degree Paper
I am pursuing a graduate degree in Education Leadership in order to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to advance my teaching career, in the area of special education, to a leadership role. I need to build upon my knowledge about special education laws and regulations, as well as develop the skills necessary to make informative decisions about issues that touch every aspect of a school’s special education program. In order to positively impact future generations of students with learning disabilities, it will be important for me to ensure the implementation of resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment. The Education Leadership Program will provide me the opportunity to enhance the quality and effectiveness of curriculum design and instructional presentation, in order to improve the performance of students receiving special education services.
I have found that one of several factors in overall student achievement is the implementation of an effective curriculum. As a special education administrator, it is my responsibility to ensure that students are able to access the general education curriculum and are given the opportunity to express what they know in a variety of ways. Upon completion of my graduate degree, I will be in a better position to protect the integrity of a school wide collaborative teaching model that aligned with the common core standards and can be accessed by all students. I would like to utilize my knowledge and resources beyond the classroom, as well as prepare myself to become a primary advocate for students who need support accessing the general education curriculum.
Not only is the development of an effective curriculum an important aspect to improving the quality of student performance, but