Examines criticisms in gifted education from the perspective of a teacher of the gifted. Critical concerns about identification of gifted students and special programming to meet their needs are discussed as they affect classroom instruction. (Author/DB)

Analysis of how practicing teachers of the deaf characterized their job led to identification of 12 roles. Tables show desired teacher characteristics and responsibilities for each role. Roles include advocacy, knowledge, assertiveness, resource expertise, assessment, modification, speech assessment/intervention, audition assessment/intervention,…

This article describes how the author finds a tool for behavior management in the special education teacher's classroom. The author had just began teaching a self-contained special education class of five-year-olds with developmental delays when a student hit her. In the moment, she chose to ignore it. However, ignoring him was a mistake--he…

Teachers of the visually impaired have a counseling role in helping students develop healthy self concepts. Teachers need to understand each of the phases of the adjustment process in response to either social stigma or vision loss. Among characteristics of the teacher-counselor are good interpersonal skills and realistic expectations. (Author/DB)

The article examines burnout among teachers of the gifted including problems resulting from burnout such as absence, lower productivity, and loss of quality teachers. Among solutions proposed are support systems at several levels, time management, and education/communication with persons outside the program. (Author/DB)

Discusses a course of academic study and practical training in the education of visually handicapped children that might be adapted by other teachers requiring special training to work with children with special needs. (JOW)

Discusses the trend toward integrating special education and general education teacher preparation programs. Advantages and disadvantages are assessed, including the risk of all teachers becoming generalists without expertise and the shortage of special education teachers. Also addresses the need for the continuing education of teachers. (CR)

Discusses the differing viewpoints on special education teacher preparation in previous articles in the same journal. Addresses the need to include special education in comprehensive long-term societal reform efforts, while also ensuring that new roles and activities do not diminish critical day-to-day instructional efforts. (CR)

Reviews 20 years of programs and services for special populations and the challenges presented by the workplace of the future. Identifies components of programs to prepare special needs students for future work. (SK)

Discussion of the effect of minimum competency tests for graduation notes both positive (such as greater access to the general curriculum) and negative (such as increased referrals to special education) to improve a school's overall scores. Continually changing special education procedures are seen, however, to have led to a decline in teachers…

The expertise of special educators can aid in providing justice for criminal defendants with mental retardation in such areas as identification of mental retardation, evaluations and habilitation concerning competence to stand trial or enter plea agreements, and provision of services to defendants in corrections programs. (Author/DB)

Offers a critical response to the British Teacher Training Agency's two consultation documents on special-educational-needs-specialist teachers. The critique addresses the proposed standards, the definition of a specialist teacher, the value of standards, effective services, core standards, the deficit model of specialist standards, and delivery…

Discussion of the importance of induction and support programs for new special education teachers notes the substantial additional demands placed on new special educators in addition to the frustrations and stresses that all new teachers experience. The article notes the high numbers who leave teaching after the first year and identifies national,…

Discussion of creativity in teachers of the gifted considers different kinds of creativity, techniques that promote creativity in students, the role of planning in creative teaching, and improvisational creativity during the teaching process. (Contains extensive references.) (DB)

This article examines how the new British National Special Educational Needs Specialist Standards might be used as an audit tool and the consequences for teachers, line-managers, and training providers. It considers the role of the standards, core standards, extension standards, the standards as an audit tool, accessing resources, and future…