THE BAIS EDITION

Demonstrating how a good idea and determination is all you need to build something promising, Sanchez and her team have built Conosi with hard work and essentially zero funds. She has applied for and received valuable resources, such as the University of Southern California Law Clinic for legal assistance as they establish the app. Sanchez said that she has developed so many new skills through this journey, every task required me to learn a new skill.

Sanchez credits much of her journey to the foundation she built at San Jose State University, where she completed her Interdisciplinary Studies program in Educational and Community Leadership. “The professors, classmates, and the supportive community I found at SJSU really shaped my vision for Conosi,” she says. “I’ve carried that sense of community and purpose with me every step of the way.”

As Conosi nears its official release, Sanchez is gearing up for beta testing with her colleagues at Harvard and San Jose State, particularly those involved in the College of Education and BAIS program. These beta testers will provide invaluable feedback, helping to fine-tune the app’s functionality and user experience before the official launch.

The app is currently in the approval process for both the Apple App Store and Google Play, and a website is also in development to complement the mobile platform.

“We’re so close to launching,” Sanchez says excitedly. “Beta testing is going to be a key step in making sure that we get the user experience right. We want Conosi to be something that educators can genuinely use to support their work.”

Stay tuned for the official launch of Conosi in the coming months, and be sure to follow the app’s progress as it enters beta testing. For more information, visit the Conosiapp.com website and sign up for updates as app launch approaches.

Here is a look at the courses that are being offered in the BAIS program for Spring 2026.

EDLD 110 - Introduction to Educational and Community Leadership

This course is the first course students take when entering the program. Students can expect to define their aspirations and examine what educational and community-based professionals do to learn how to best support the community they serve. The final assignment is the Positionality Statement and Portfolios. It consist of drawing upon past assignments in the class as well as in theoretical concepts developed in the course readings and discussions to create a piece of multimedia outlining identity, social and racial justice, leadership, and potential ideas for further research. (Major core course)

EDLD 140 - Identity, Solidarity, and Social Justice Leadership

This course examines, assesses, and strengthens understandings of students' own, and others social identities; and helps build capacity for multiculturally-skilled leadership for social justice. For the major project you will present your Artifacts and Portfolio Culmination.

EDSP 150 - Communication, Leadership, and Social Justice

In this course students will develop a foundation for analysis of oral and written communication in the community to expand personal written and oral communication styles. For your major project you will work in groups to develop, practice, and improve group communication skills as well as apply practical research and organizational skills in preparing information.

EDEL 102 - Psychological Foundations of Education

In this class you will experience new theories of learning, teaching practices, and instructional and pedagogical approaches.The big project you will focus on is the Teaching Statement & Philosophy of Equity where you will work independently to put together your vision, philosophy, and commitments for teaching for equity and justice.

EDSE 224 - Methods for Emergent Bilinguals with Disabilities

This course examines the unique considerations and approaches to working with culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities. For the major assignment you can expect to work in groups to create a lesson plan in the content area of reading/language arts, math, science, or social studies.

EDSE 228A - Topics in Collaboration and Transition

In this course you will learn about strategies for effective communication and collaboration practices with members of the various teams that plan and serve students receiving special education services. Expect to work in teams throughout the semester as you develop your skills in collaboration and complete your Collaboration Experience Assignments.

ChAD 100W - Writing Workshop

This course focuses on the development of a mature writing style and organization of persuasive and analytical prose. Expect your major assignment is an academic writing project, where you will learn powerful ways to write convincingly and credibly on a topic that is meaningful to you.

ChAD 101 - Research Methods in Developmental Science

This course studies data collection techniques and methods used in child and adolescent development research, including observation, interview, experiment, and survey. The major project requires taking an in-depth look at a topical issue in child and adolescent development and finding non-scholarly and scholarly sources that focus on the central issue of interest to write the Evaluating Sources Paper.

ChAD 161 - Administration of Early Childhood Programs

This course surveys appropriate administrative policies and procedures relevant to designing, administrating, and assessing high quality early learning programs. Expect to work on a portfolio assignment that requires that you gather and present materials education, experience, and professionalism in the field of early Childhood Education.

ChAD 102 - Development of Self in a Culturally Diverse Society

This course examines the influence of institutions and society on the psychosocial development of children and adolescents from culturally diverse backgrounds in the United States. Your major assignment will be the Social Movements Essay that will ask you to analyze a social movement using the concepts you have learned about in class.

Here is a look at the anticipated courses that will be offered in the BAIS program for Summer 2026.

ChAD 149 - Child Health and Physical Activity

Explores concepts, frameworks, and national standards regarding children’s health and physical education using an interdisciplinary curriculum. Special attention is given to factors that influence children’s health and wellness, safety and prevention, motor skill development, and lifelong healthy practices. 

EDSP 110 - Survey of Communication Disorders

This course is an introduction to person-centered and multicultural perspectives within educational, socialization, and vocational contexts for speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. For your major assigment you will have the option to choose from assesing a hypothetical client or giving a presentation summarizing what you learned about a topic covered in class.

ChAD 160 - Practicum in Early Childhood Education / Laboratory

In this course you will apply the information gained from course work in Child and Adolescent Development, Psychology, Special Education, and Justice Studies to a practical environment with young children. The major class assigment is a video recording assignment that will require you to review recordings of your teaching practice, create a plan for implementing new strategies, and evaluate and reflect on your classroom interactions.

EDEL 102 - Psychological Foundations of Education

In this class you will experience new theories of learning, teaching practices, and instructional and pedagogical approaches.The big project you will focus on is the Teaching Statement & Philosophy of Equity where you will work independently to put together your vision, philosophy, and commitments for teaching for equity and justice.

EDLD 140 - Identity, Solidarity, and Social Justice Leadership

This course examines, assesses, and strengthens understandings of students' own, and others social identities; and helps build capacity for multiculturally-skilled leadership for social justice. For the major project you will present your Artifacts and Portfolio Culmination.

EDLD 120 - The Right to Learn: Language Dignity & Education

This course explores the relationship between language, identity, power, and educational opportunity in various domestic and international contexts. In you major assignment you will draw on your course learning to critically examine your own thoughts and experiences regarding language and social justice. 

EDSE 241 - Emerging Technology for All Learners

This course focuses on the effective use of the computer to meet exceptional learning needs, including special education software evaluation, word processing for written language development, logo, individualized lessons with graphics and speech and database management for cognitive and language development. The major assignment will consist on creating one lesson plan and include an example of alternative media the studnet has designed to align with evidenced-based multimedia principles.