Observation systems can provide teachers with information about how to improve their instructional practice and can lead to improved student outcomes. However, most observation systems have not been designed to address issues specific to special education. An effective special education teacher evaluation system must measure and provide targeted,…

This monograph showcases professional development projects by school districts and colleges of education that train teachers to work successfully with English learners (ELs) across the nation. The papers presented in this monograph offer real-life examples of successful and innovative practices, including institutionalized mentoring programs, new…

The goal of the Quality Improvement Program Plan (QUIPP) for Special Educators, developed by New York City Public Schools in New York, was to improve the quality of instruction for students with disabilities by expanding the knowledge and instructional abilities of special education professionals. The program, available in elementary and…

Early childhood intervention service providers (N=242) in Louisiana reported that their inservice training experiences were primarily of a passive nature, and few received support following training. More dynamic training strategies such as teacher modeling, small-group discussions, and opportunities to practice targeted skills were felt to more…

Interviews were conducted with 20 Scottish special education teachers who undertook a one-year, full-time inservice course. Teachers cited increased confidence, personal and professional development, deeper thinking, and increased flexibility and awareness as gains from the course; specific skills, which are emphasized in short inservice courses,…

This study of five bilingual special education teachers identified three factors affecting attempts to change instructional practices: (1) a positive correlation between special education training and a reductionist approach; (2) relationship between changing both instructional practices and beliefs; and (3) the importance of including fellow…

This final report summarizes the activities of the I'M SPECIAL Program of Physical Education for the Handicapped. The 3-year project was designed to provide leadership training for physical education and special education university professors and state and local education agency personnel in the effective use of the I'M SPECIAL Instructional…

A needs assessment instrument was developed to aid rural (upstate New York) school officials in implementing staff development programs and determining special staff development needs for serving handicapped students in the mainstream. Survey responses were gathered from 85 elementary and secondary teachers in 3 school districts over 2 counties.…

The authors examined the effects of an intensive onsite technical assistance (IOTA) model on the inclusive practices of special educators. Three special educators received technical assistance that included performance assessments, workshops on inclusive practices, and intensive onsite follow-up support. Inclusive practices were measured using…

Project RECURSO, a federally-funded project in its third year of operation, attempted to improve: (1) assessment procedures for limited-English-proficient (LEP) students with handicapping conditions; (2) the skills of teachers and school-based support team members (SBSTs) who work with this population; and (3) the quality of interaction between…