This article outlines the development of a new California teacher credential in the area of physical and health impairments. The credential development process, identification of adopted standards, and the guiding principles used by the authors, who served as consultants to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, are described.…

Discusses three major needs in special education teacher preparation: (1) developing coherent teacher education programs in special and general education; (2) preparing teachers so they understand the assets represented by student diversity; and (3) figuring out what collaborating special education teachers need to be prepared to do. (CR)

Reflects on previous articles in the same journal that address the preparation of special education teachers. Discusses the benefits of the special education field looking outward at the larger system in which special education operates and then critically inward at the role of special education teachers. (CR)

Reflects on previous articles addressing special education teacher preparation in the same journal. It urges special education teachers to be teachers first and foremost, and discusses the need for special educators to be lifelong learners who constantly improve their skills and learn to work with other educators. (CR)

The president of the Council for Exceptional Children urges special educators to become positive spokespeople in providing accurate information on education to policymakers at the local, state, and national levels. Every advocacy act is seen as making a difference. (DB)

Reflects current concern in the United Kingdom over the plight of existing legislation as it impacts on children with learning difficulties. Major difficulties lie in the competency and knowledge base that teachers work from, coupled with a developing tendency for schools and local authorities to view learning support services as the most…

This paper reviews 12 studies of special education teacher attrition, concluding that research-based models for improving the retention of special education teachers do not exist. Guidelines for a research agenda to identify variables that influence the attrition of special education teachers are offered. (DB)

This response to Gersten and Dimino (EC 606 357) claims a lack of clarity in their understanding of whole-language instruction and confusion of the approach with its implementation. The response stresses the need to empower special education teachers so that they are able to make decisions about teaching and not merely follow directions in…

Reflects on one teacher's reaction when she discovered that students in general education in her school are plagued with troubles as debilitating as her behaviorally impaired students. These students exhibited similar signs of learned helplessness and school failure. Describes how she went through the grief process with each student's story;…

Presents an argument for the collaboration of science educators and special educators based on a new collaborative model that recognizes the critical importance of the science context in determining appropriate pedagogy for students with disabilities. Contains 11 references. (JRH)

This article stresses the interconnectedness of special education with the overall public education system. It posits that the purpose of public schools should be to: (1) enculturate youth into social and political democracy; (2) ensure excellent and equitable educational outcomes; and (3) use a caring pedagogy. Special educators should act as…

When the Ronald Yuill was told by his administration that there were not enough aides to help the special education students in the classes, he suggested placing all the students requiring special assistance into one class. His idea was to teach all of the special education children at the same time with the assistance of an aide or two. However,…

At least since the early 1990s, educators in inclusive schooling as well as scholars in Disability Studies have critiqued prevailing notions of intellectual ability and have suggested the importance of interpretive communities for constructing student competence (Biklen, 1990; Goode, 1992, 1994; Kliewer, 1998; Kluth, 2003; Linneman, 2001). This…

The paper is a product of the 3-year project, "Functional Mainstreaming for Success," designed to develop a model for instructional mainstreaming of handicapped children (3-6 years old) in community settings. The paper provides a seven point definition of successful mainstreaming and reviews the literature on the role of special…

Examines recent changes in teacher special education certification requirements in Manitoba (Canada), the short- and long-term impact of these changes, and Brandon University's (Manitoba) attempt to support northern residents through a distance education program. Discusses the needs of northern residents and proposals to accommodate them. (GEA)