Arranged into four sections, the resource guide provides special educators with over 40 annotated listings of: (1) associations and government agencies concerned with computer use for physically handicapped and other special education students; (2) producers of software, dedicated hardware, and adaptive devices; (3) publications and directories on…

A peer coaching approach was developed for use in the Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Training Program (MDTP) at the University of Florida, in collaboration with Old Dominion University in Virginia. The MDTP provides diagnostic services to elementary-aged children with learning, behavior, and/or medical problems. The peer coaching model includes…

This paper addresses effective longitudinal technical assistance for professionals serving young children with challenging behaviors. Critical components of such assistance include identifying and training districtwide technical assistance teams, developing operating procedures, generating districtwide support, and evaluating team effectiveness.…

A best practices checklist is provided to assist special education teachers in self-evaluation and peer evaluation, and assist administrators in providing feedback to teachers. The checklist covers introducing the lesson, presenting the lesson, encouraging student participation, and providing corrective feedback. Each area identifies specific…

The 2009 edition of the "State Teacher Policy Yearbook" is the National Council on Teacher Quality's (NCTQ's) third annual review of state laws, rules and regulations that govern the teaching profession. This year's report is a comprehensive analysis of the full range of each state's teacher policies, measured against a realistic…

The paper examines issues in special education teacher attrition and reviews a variety of induction and mentorship programs to lessen the common isolation of beginning teachers. Statistics indicating the high attrition rate among beginning teachers, especially special education teachers are cited and related to lack of training and ongoing…

Recruitment and retention of special education teachers and related services staff have been persistent problems of rural school districts nationwide. High teacher attrition rates have serious ramifications for personnel development and program stability. Effective recruitment strategies for rural areas have four main components: (1) emphasis on…

The first of a projected series of three studies addressing the differing organizational contexts of the special education director's work and the resulting consequences, this investigation examined the work of a special education director in a "staff" position with respect to the consequences to the district at this organizational…

The 13 readings in this book offer guidelines for designing and developing programs for gifted students. An introductory chapter by the editor considers the benefits of special programs for gifted students and the challenges of their development. The following chapters are: (1) "From Needs and Goals to Program Organization: A Nuts-and-Bolts Guide"…

This report synthesizes information from the Study of Personnel Needs in Special Education on factors associated with special education teacher quality and teachers' intent to remain in the profession. It applies these findings to the school administrator's role in promoting teacher quality. Concerning teacher quality and career plans, it finds…

This paper examines the pressures placed on northern Manitoba (Canada) communities to meet provincial legislative requirements for certification of special education teachers, the special needs of native northerners, and principles guiding an appropriate education program. Special emphasis is given to the need for distance education and…

This paper presents findings of an analysis of the 1989-90 mathematics and reading portions of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) and of perceptions of special education teachers participating in the MEAP. Noted are the purpose of the MEAP and exclusion for students who: (1) receive more than half their reading/English instruction…

This paper presents a model for projecting the need for special education teachers which incorporates key elements of a market-based supply/demand model. The model provides equations to predict the supply of both certified and uncertified special education teachers. It involves the following supply factors: current certified employed teacher…

Approved by the city's board of education in July 1982, Houston's Special Education Team Member Quality Assurance Program is intended to help assure continual professional growth for special education teachers. By establishing a system of faculty performance assessment, the program seeks to identify teachers' strengths and weaknesses, improve…

The Kansas State Plan for Special Education is designed to trace specific special education issues through statute, regulation, and policy and to translate each issue into operational terms which can be followed by local education agencies. The informational format divides the plan into three major sections. The introductory section presents…