The article reviews efforts to develop professional standards in the preparation of special educators carried out by the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and recommends licensing rather than certifying special educators. (DB)

An investigation into the discrepancy between the educational experiences of the exceptional student and the current preparation programs available to special educators led to an experimental model that serves as a comprehensive undergraduate special education program for competencies in behavior disorders, mental retardation, and specific…

Issues involved in training bilingual-bicultural special educators are examined and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach is emphasized. (CL)

Sets forth the thesis that the competencies developed in special education teacher training programs should be evaluated in terms of the performance of the students served by the trainees. An overview of the evaluation of the field-based program at George Peabody College for Teachers (Nashville, Tennessee) is given. (SBH)

This update of a 1986 survey of state certification standards for teachers of students with learning disabilities presents data in narrative and tables on certification categories (titles) and level(s); (2) teacher training requirements (i.e., courses, standards, and hours); (3) examination requirements for certification; and (4) other additional…

Examines the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards National Board Certification process, noting the legitimacy of this process for teachers of special needs students and concluding that while National Board Certification is beneficial to the teaching profession at large, for special education, it needs to be reconceptualized and…

Analyzes the important challenges that researchers face in the creation and use of a knowledge base for restructuring teacher education in the field of special education. Promising avenues for research to meet these challenges are delineated and the critical roles of multiparadigmatic teacher communities are highlighted. (Author/CR)

Describes shifting perspectives of a large special education teacher education program in Florida in the process of implementing a reform agenda. Particular attention is given to admission standards for prospective teachers (reliance on test scores is questioned) and the curriculum and teaching methodologies of teacher education program.…

Discusses the rationale for using teaching cases in special education teacher programs to provide narrative accounts of authentic teaching situations. Describes how teaching cases are being used by a collaborative research team at the University of South Florida, along with the cases developed by the group. (Author/CR)

This paper promotes the increased use of literature in preservice special education programs to address beliefs and attitudes of students. Discussion points out the limitations of textbooks and the power of literature to portray character, convey knowledge, and foster experience-based learning. A table identifies teacher education needs and shows…

Describes a collaborative partnership between a special education professor and a general education professor within a program that highlights the integration of two courses: Academic Curricular Adaptations and Elementary Social Studies Methods and Curriculum. The article discusses the coteaching model and describes the integrated curriculum and…

As a viable supplement to traditional campus based personnel preparation programs, university outreach training programs can help meet personnel needs for orientation and mobility specialists serving visually impaired children in rural areas. (DB)

Discusses teacher education methods that assist rural preservice teachers to develop competencies relevant to behavior disorders when classroom observation is impossible. Describes the use of case studies, role playing, computer simulations, videotapes, and learning packets. Contains 18 references. (SV)

It is suggested that special educators follow the mode of other helping professions by developing national standards for professional certification. The proposal is justified, steps already taken to facilitate this process are outlined, and the positive impact of such a move is discussed. (MSE)

Finds that, among 40 teachers enrolled in a special education methods course, there were no differences in learning performance between on-campus students and distance learners reached by two-way interactive television, but the remote group gave lower course evaluations, particularly in the area of provision of feedback. (SV)