The report deals with the design, development, and evaluation of a set of self-instructional modules concerning preinstructional competencies for teachers of the handicapped. An introductory chapter covers background information, general objectives of the program, components of the modules, and stages in the development of the modules (analysis,…

This study determined the mild disabilities certification perceptions and preferences of Louisiana special education (SPED) professionals and students. A stratified random sampling procedure was used to select the subjects, who included 115 undergraduates and 44 graduate students, 26 professors, 24 local or school system directors of SPED, and 22…

This paper describes the use of webcasting technology in a personnel preparation program for rural special education practitioners. Emerging technologies offer promising solutions to the challenges of providing accessible and appropriate training to rural special educators. Web-based instruction is especially appropriate for on-the-job training of…

The departments of special education and vocational education at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale have established a cross-disciplinary program of baccalaureate specializations to develop minimum competencies for serving employment-related needs of learning disabled, mentally retarded, behavior disordered, and adjudicated youth. (SK)

The article reports on a model of personnel preparation in which university graduate special education and pediatrics faculty members work together to train teachers about the medical aspects of educational disabilities. (Author)

Looks at three practice-teaching models. Plan A discusses role of faculty consultant as key for communication between university and schools. Plan B shows flexibility allowed for consultant to tailor his/her role in fostering professional growth of each student. Special education model stresses role of consultant working alongside students in…

The article addresses three questions: What are the competencies needed for parent involvement in special education? What are the components of a training program? Who will do the training? Answers to the questions are discussed, particularly in relation to P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). (SBH)

Discusses fiscal support for special education personnel preparation programs in terms of factors which have altered and will alter service eligibility and service delivery patterns for the handicapped or developmentally disabled, current and future determinants of fiscal support for specialized personnel preparation programs, and ways in which…

Investigated the competencies of special educators on a set of 35 skills identified by the Council for Exceptional Children as important for professionals working in the area of special education. Survey data indicated that special educators perceived themselves as having relatively high competency in a broad range of the skill areas. However,…

This paper addresses methods of training special educators in the skill of reflective thinking during immediacy situations in the context of a structured intervention at Haifa University (Israel). Discussion considers D. Schon's reflection-in-action model of decision-making and problem-solving modes and R. Eisikovitis's Ethnographic model.…

The research on cooperative learning techniques in K-12 classrooms and collaborative learning at the college level is integrated, and suggestions are offered for ways in which collaborative learning can be put into operation at the college or university level, especially in special education courses. (Author/DB)

Twenty-one special education teacher trainees who had completed a course on constructivist learning theory developed teaching demonstrations which were analyzed to determine their operationalization of constructivist teaching. Results indicated that, though teachers had learned to use the jargon in journal entries and essays, they did not shift to…

Addresses the promises, practices, and pitfalls of distance education for training additional special-education teachers. A table summarizes current distance-learning practices broken down into use of either asynchronous technology or synchronous technology. Advantages (such as fewer teachers reaching more students and low cost instruction) and…

Reviews issues related to changing the attitudes, beliefs, and dispositions of preservice special educators. Practices in teacher education are reviewed in the areas of reflective thinking and teaching, coursework, information interaction with faculty, and field experiences and supervision. Recommendations for teacher-education practice and…

A survey of 212 orientation and mobility instructors who were also teachers of children with visual impairments investigated their roles, satisfaction with their university training, and current jobs. The majority were satisfied with their training and jobs and spent most of their time as teachers of children with visual impairments. (Author/CR)