Discussion of mentoring of beginning special education teachers considers: how mentors can help, matching mentor with new teacher, first-year teachers' comments about their mentors, and alternative sources of mentor support. Topics mentors should discuss with new teachers and useful Web sites for new teachers are discussed. (Contains 12…

Special education teachers and individualized education program (IEP) team members throughout the country are struggling to make appropriate decisions regarding assistive technology (AT) for students with high incidence disabilities. Although numerous authors and organizations have developed tools to assist IEP teams when considering AT, the task…

The purpose of this study was to explore the opinions and perspectives of special education teachers and parents of children in special education regarding the implementation of individualized instruction within the special education system in the People's Republic of China. The study group consisted of a random sample of 344 parents of children…

This guide is intended to assist groups of special educators to plan, design, and implement mutual professional support activities. The first section, on the nature of professional support groups, presents a definition and discussion of activity focus, format, permanence of focus, and structure. The second section looks specifically at the role of…

The report documents the evaluation of a New York City program, the State Incentive Grant to Improve Pupil Performance, in which high school special education teachers received training in general education curriculum and instructional techniques to fulfill a new regulation allowing high school special education students to meet general education…

The document is part of the final report on Project STEEL (Special Teacher Education and Evaluation Laboratory) intended to extend the utilization of technology in the training of preservice special education teachers. This volume focuses on the third of four project objectives, the development and implementation of a computer-based testing…

Observations on teacher education are offered from the point of view of a parent of a learning disabled child who is also supervisor of student teachers in elementary and special education. Implications of a movement which advocates phasing out traditional 4-year undergraduate teacher education academic programs and substituting graduate programs…

Suggestions for special education teachers preparing for parent-teacher conferences include: preparing a folder showing students' tests, assignments, and progress; and encouraging a two-way dialogue by providing a supportive environment. Suggestions for parents include being responsive and receptive to teachers' suggestions and asking for…

Critical issues in tort liability that confront special educators and teacher trainers include malpractice (failure to learn), misdiagnosis, immunity, impact of a handicap on standard of care, confidentiality, access to emergency medical services, the use of aversive consequences, child abuse and corporal punishment, and school violence.…

A review of research relating to academic engaged time from the perspective of the special services provider indicated that academic engaged time is related to student achievement, and recommended that teachers provide greater supervision and monitoring, limit disruptions, provide feedback, use the direct instruction model, and encourage student…

The article examines various philosophical and professional orientations of teachers of the visually impaired and appropriate service delivery for severely and profoundly retarded children with visual handicaps. Staff contact only, consultation and direct service, and direct services are three delivery models discussed. Frequency, motivation, and…

The implementation of a bilingual special education alternative is imperative if the "double-edged" effects of these students' language barrier and handicapping conditions are to be neutralized. (Author/JM)

The interconnecting roles of vocational and special educators in preparing handicapped students for employment are examined, and a case study of a 26-year-old mildly retarded man with emotional problems is presented. (CL)

Five universities offering credential programs for teachers of individuals with physical disabilities jointly investigated demographics, and teacher competency and training options. Surveys completed by 220 administrators and 143 teachers indicated a body of expertise exists available to special education teachers, and special and general…

This article highlights current thinking and practice regarding the use of student portfolios to document performance of authentic teaching tasks in undergraduate special education teacher education programs. It describes ways to use portfolios for student and program assessment and includes suggestions for overcoming the subjectivity associated…