Background: Upon completion of their undergraduate educator preparation program (EPP), early childhood special educators obtain roles within inclusive school settings. As part of these roles, they will participate in collaborative interactions with other educators, related service providers, paraprofessionals, and their students' family members.…

A shortage of certified teacher candidates nationwide is especially challenging in the field of special education. U.S. rural school districts are even more impacted due to limited access to universities because of geographical distance. In this program description, we look at the University Louisville's fully online special education alternative…

The provision of progress monitoring is mandated under federal law for children receiving special education services. In recent years, professional organizations have recommended that this provision be extended to include children receiving services within multi-tiered systems of support. Organizations representing the field of early childhood…

The provision of progress monitoring is mandated under federal law for children receiving special education services. In recent years, professional organizations have recommended that this provision be extended to include children receiving services within multitiered systems of support. Organizations representing the field of early childhood…

Across the United States, school leaders and administrators are confronted with widespread shortages of special educators--a challenge that may feel insurmountable at times. Shortages of special educators mean open teaching positions go unfilled or are filled by personnel who may lack the preparation and certification known to lead to positive…

Field experiences are often considered by researchers, leading organizations, and accrediting bodies as a critical component of special education teacher preparation. Yet, much remains unknown about the types or numbers of field experiences that will best prepare special education teacher candidates. Given the ongoing changes in the field of…

This dissertation explores teacher and paraeducator training with a specific focus on generalization of training outcomes and social validity. Chapter 1 presents brief background information to introduce the research questions posed in Chapters 2, 3, and 4. Chapter 2 presents a systematic literature review of educator training studies that…

The digital training of teachers in general, and especially special education teachers, has become a key axis for transforming the education system in favour of quality education, equality and equity. This study provides a systematic review of the literature in four databases (Scopus, ERIC, Dialnet and Web of Science) on the level of digital…

Enrollment in traditional special education teacher preparation programs has declined while enrollment in alternative preparation programs has increased in Georgia (Georgia Insights, 2024). Since alternative preparation programs have become the viable recruitment vein for rural schools challenged to fill special education teaching vacancies,…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the attitudes of general education and special education teachers towards inclusion in a Suburban school district in the Midwest. With the increase in the number of students who are qualifying for special education coupled with the special education staff shortage, there is a need to examine…

This mixed-methods ethnological research study examined general education and special education teachers' perceptions of preparedness to include students with significant behavioral disabilities in the general education environment. The study used concepts within social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) to understand possible connections between…

In the context of the active spread of inclusive education in Kazakhstan, it seems important to modernize their training for work in inclusive schools. Accordingly, the problems of effective preparation of teachers to work with inclusive classes have acquired particular relevance. The aim of the proposed study was a comparative study of the…

Alternative pathways to licensure (APL) programs have proliferated nationally as a potential solution to the ongoing critical shortage of qualified special education professionals. Although these programs attract more diverse teacher candidates, they have been criticized for a lack of preparation and support provided to new professionals. This…

As schools become more inclusive, and with existing teacher shortages, teacher dispositions play a significant role in enhancing the education of students with disabilities (SWDs) in inclusive settings. University programs play an important role in preparing pre-service special education teachers not only with the knowledge and skills needed to…

Even though effective teaching is required when doctoral students assume positions in higher education, few doctoral programs have courses or formalized experiences designed around pedagogy for undergraduate and graduate students. The lack of pedagogical emphasis is especially concerning for newly minted doctoral students who will be preparing…