Students with disabilities often face barriers that hinder their capacity to access general education curricula and show their learning. Modifications to curricula and lesson plans can help reduce these barriers. Modifications are changes to what instruction is delivered--which tasks students complete and what content they learn. Previous research…

The journey towards inclusive education and collaborative practices in different countries is complex and interdependent within each unique geopolitical landscape. "Instructional Collaboration in International Inclusive Education Contexts" looks at the instructional collaboration between special education and general education in…

Teacher education as a field of study has steadily grown since the press for an identifiable knowledge base first appeared in the 1970s. Almost simultaneously, calls for teacher education reform abounded and have, for more than 40 years, existed alongside the development of research in teacher education. However, these longstanding teacher…

This case study analyzed a special education (SE) teacher's activity within his workplace community and external professional network in a Finnish special education context. The nature of the SE teacher's networks and his networking role were examined using an interview and a questionnaire, completed by the teachers working in the community…

Although effective practices have been developed to address the needs of a wide range of students with disabilities, evidence suggests a limited use of these practices. Potential contributors to the research-to-practice gap focus on problems with pre-service teacher preparation, professional development, and the nature of research. The authors…

Researchers conducted a study that examined the classroom reading practices of beginning special education teachers and each teacher's ability to promote student engagement. The researchers observed 14 beginning special education teachers over a 6-month period and identified the teachers as most engaging, highly engaging, moderately engaging, or…

This unique resource provides a comprehensive review of current knowledge about phonological awareness, together with practical guidance for helping preschoolers to adolescents acquire needed skills. Up-to-date findings are synthesized on the development of phonological awareness; its role in literacy learning; and how it can be enhanced in…

A study was conducted to determine if differences exist between the leadership behaviors of men and women in special education administrative positions in Florida. Participants consisted of 28 exceptional student education directors--14 male and 14 female--along with all 28 of their respective superintendents and two staff members, one male and…

Historically many students with disabilities did not participate in accountability systems. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires that students in all targeted subgroups, including students with disabilities, have the opportunity to learn challenging material that is linked to content standards and to participate in statewide…

This report on regular and special education teachers in public schools presents data on personal characteristics (gender, age, race/ethnicity, and marital status); professional characteristics (educational background, years of experience, certification); geographic region; income (salary and incentives, nonschool employment); and opinions about…

This paper examines the development of the "Comfortability Scale in Special Education." This 44-item self-evaluation instrument measures special education teachers' perceptions of "comfort" (self-confidence) with their ability to use pertinent knowledge and skills. Each item is rated on a seven-point Likert-like scale. Two…

Discusses the availability of special education programs in the Soviet Union. Identifies a shortage of instructional programs for children identified as physically or mentally impaired. Reports that approximately 800,000 Soviet children with development disabilities either receive no instruction or attend regular schools. Lists recommendations for…

Reviews approaches taken by local education authorities to the funding and organization for special education needs under school-based management. Examines two case studies and concludes that responsibility for special needs students increasingly is becoming that of the school alone. (CFR)

This evaluation report describes a project that used an innovative approach called precision teaching to train personnel who provide services to identified emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded, and cross-categorical children. Precision teaching is a data-based behavioral instructional program which encompasses pinpointing target behaviors,…

Graduates of professional preparation programs in special education are followed up in order to know about the status of professionals who completed their training in programs receiving federal support from the Office of Special Education Programs Division of Personnel Preparation. This bulletin discusses graduate follow-up precondition criteria…