Describes a Kentucky program designed to train special-education personnel in moderate/severe-disabilities and early-childhood special education. The model used satellite, compressed video, and on-site delivery systems; support services from the university, state, and federal governments, and various methods of team teaching. Program effectiveness…

A survey of 166 regular and special-education teachers concerning allowable accommodations on statewide assessment tests found only 21% reported that they used allowed accommodations. Teachers' knowledge of allowable accommodations was low and suggests some students are unnecessarily exempted from participation. Results support preservice and…

In teacher education settings, the extent of collaboration is far less evident than in K-12 education. There is some evidence that suggests, however, that this may be changing. Teaming among higher education faculty has been identified as one way to provide teachers with greater exposure to diverse fields of knowledge and practice, as well as 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…

This document reports on the purpose, design, implementation, and outcomes of a policy forum entitled "Training Educators To Work with Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired." Participants included representatives of universities, public schools, schools for the blind, organizations that work with this population, state departments of…

This study compared the knowledge and skill levels of urban and rural special education teachers across 13 emotional and behavior disordered (EBD) competency areas. Fifty-eight graduate students enrolled in special education courses at California State University at Fresno completed the Emotionally and Behaviorally Disordered Teacher Competencies…

A staff development program in two western states helps professionals in rural school systems provide comprehensive transition services to students with disabilities. The program was designed to be relevant to rural constituents and to overcome the lack of understanding of local needs by university personnel. A vision statement relating to desired…

The Rural Special Education Project (RSEP) is a school-based, special education teacher preparation program located on the Navajo Reservation. The program, which is a partnership between Northern Arizona University and Kayenta Unified School District, immerses Anglo participants in Navajo culture and heightens their awareness of cross-cultural and…

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…

This paper reviews the role of deaf teachers in the education of deaf children and urges the hiring of such teachers, especially in Texas. Part 1 presents current data on deaf teachers in Texas and the nation, reviews the history of deaf teachers, considers the modern day preparation of deaf teachers and some court cases supporting deaf teachers…

Designed for high school students interested in careers in special education and related services, this guide outlines the role of a secondary school special education teacher. It addresses the nature of the work, the education required for the position, the personal qualities people should have who choose to be secondary special educators, job…

This directory lists approximately 860 postsecondary programs that prepare special educators, paraprofessionals for special education, adapted physical educators, or vocational special needs personnel. The directory is organized alphabetically by state and by postsecondary institution within each state. A set of codes is used to identify common…

The issue of special education services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students is generally discussed in relation to geographic areas with large minority populations. However, CLD students in less populated areas are also in need of special services. This study reports on a survey that was conducted to determine the perceptions…

Results of an assessment of 50 ecological and stress management competencies that were developed as part of a Kansas project to improve retention of special education personnel are presented in narrative and data sections. Ecological considerations include those that contribute to job success, such as job challenge and community atmosphere, while…

Responses from 143 individuals to a questionnaire mailed to 180 special education administrators from all regions of the country found that many first-year teachers enter the profession lacking skills critical to successful teaching and that those with only undergraduate degrees are at greater risk for failure than those with graduate training.…