While most rural special education leaders agree on the universality of certain problems (funding inadequacies, personnel recruitment/retention, transportation, low-incidence handicapped populations, staff development needs, resistance to change) in rural areas, no agreement exists regarding generalizable solutions which will work in all rural…

Sixteen papers, developed as part of a 10-year study of substantive and methodological aspects of teacher education in special education at the University of South Florida, address professional issues in special education. The papers are: (1) "To Improve or Reconstruct Special Education: Issues Facing the Field" (James L. Paul and Ann…

States that educational priorities for secondary special needs students require an emphasis on vocational rather than academic training and a more structured learning situation. Presents a model of comprehensive career education for behaviorally disordered and learning disabled students featuring a cooperative teaching approach. (MF)

Presents the results of surveys and follow-up interviews of parents of children with disabilities who chose to use the "open enrollment" transfer option in Minnesota. Reasons for school transfer included better met special education needs and personal attention for children at chosen schools, and more information on child's progress from…

Argues that the language of entitlement and empowerment is not always matched by correspondingly equitable actions. Applies this argument to provisions for students with disabilities and learning difficulties. Fears that students with the most complex needs will no longer have access to postsecondary education. (CFR)

The establishment of bilingual special education teams in a primarily Hispanic, urban, southwest school district is discussed. Issues include perceptions of team members' roles in the school, problems in assuming an active classroom consultation role, problems in supporting maintenance of school-based teams, and perceptions of the consultant's…

This feature article examines changes needed in special education personnel preparation (such as increasing the supply of qualified personnel). Strategies for meeting these needs are discussed, including methods of using best practices and innovative training methods. An Outcomes-Based Teacher Education model (with proposed knowledge and skill…

In an effort to support the public schools' initiatives to develop effective schools for all students, particularly those who are work bound, the College of Education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University instituted a graduate program aimed at preparing collaborative instructional leaders. The major goal of the program was to…

This report discusses the outcomes of a work forum of representatives of 10 national organizations concerned with the serious shortage of qualified special education and related services professionals. The forum convened to consider the need for a national personnel agenda. The first section of the resulting report describes the shortage of…

A panel of student teachers reviewed information on perceived student teaching needs prior to and following special education student teaching experiences, focusing on needs regarding communication with the cooperating teacher. The panel created several lists of positive verbal and written supports for the special education student teacher. Uses…

A special education teacher's views on the 10 years since enactment of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and thoughts about the future of special education are offered. Characteristics of the first years following P.L. 94-142 included an exuberant pioneer spirit among teachers, informal curricula, and lack of rigor in…

This monograph reviews the role played by public policy in the education of gifted students. It describes the special rule making in identification, placement, program, and accountability. These rules emerge from legislation, court decisions, administrative rule making, and professional standards. Special problems involving racial discrimination,…

This position statement explains the life skills instruction approach, considers why life skills instruction is important for students with disabilities, recommends that such instruction be given in the least restrictive environment (preferably the community), and delineates the responsibilities of general educators and special educators. (DB)

Describes the beliefs, knowledge, and classroom practices of a successful bilingual special educator, noting factors that shaped her teaching, including her own experiences as a second-language learner. Notes the teacher's emphasis on interactive teaching that weaves students' first language and culture with direct instruction, practice, and…

This paper traces the history of leadership training in the field of special education as a context for a projection of future leadership personnel needs. The current situation in supply and demand for special education leadership personnel is analyzed, and it is found that the number of available personnel is dwindling while the number of job…