Describes a technique that was used successfully to identify the changing roles and responsibilities of special educators as transition coordinators. The Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) model uses people who are currently working in the occupation to define job responsibilities. The duties of a transition coordinator are identified. (CR)

Special education teachers in today's workplace must show "competence at teaching everything" (Mastropieri, 2001). They work in different settings, teaching and adapting content across all levels. Added to this complexity are reform efforts that are driving major changes in the entire special education system, including service delivery models and…

Debbie Johnson is a teacher who provides an account of her involvement in researching the inclusion of pupils with Down's syndrome over a number of years. Her work has not only increased her own understanding but has had a significant influence upon her practice, both as a class teacher and in her current advisory role. Writing in a highly…

Although state education agencies, teacher preparation institutions, and public schools often combine high incidence disabilities into one category and one placement, the students grouped under this label often have diverse educational needs. This study compares two samples of secondary special education teachers working at the same schools to…

The teacher consultant model is seen as one way to develop collaborative working relationships between classroom teachers and special educators. A triadic model of consultation as modified for special education settings is presented as an educational team linked in shared responsibility to resolve a common goal. Considerations in the consultative…

Utilizing observational field research methodology, two special education teachers were observed daily for a year. Observations were analyzed to describe the teachers' role in the school system. Analysis suggested that issues such as system norms and teacher's creditability were important to effectiveness of mainstreaming. Sensitiveness to…

The paper discusses the changing role of the teacher in meeting the special educational needs of children in Scotland, with particular emphasis on two recently published reports--"The Education of Pupils with Learning Difficulties" and the Warnock Report "Special Educational Needs." The roles of class, subject, and special…

The official program of the Kentucky state conference for teachers of exceptional children (held in Louisville, October 30-31, 1970) is presented accompanied with photographs of the conference participants. Included are introductory comments by LeRoy Aserlind relating his childhood experiences and goals to those of special education, Stella…

Interviews and questionnaires completed by 24 graduates of a resource/consulting teacher program revealed confidence in their skills. Ss reported on time spent in consultation, resistance to consultation, and factors that facilitated and inhibited consultation. (CL)

The changing role of the special education teacher is examined and guidelines for working effectively with paraprofessionals are provided. Teacher skills in interviewing and selecting, orienting, supervising, and evaluating paraprofessionals are outlined. (PHR)

Three teachers are portrayed: a vocational teacher in a work experience program for disadvantaged high schoolers, a physical education teacher who teaches swimming to developmentally disabled students, and an education professor who assumed a teaching position in a mainstreamed class. (CL)

Discusses the key components which need to be emphasized in undergraduate special education programs. The author stresses the importance of the special education teacher's roles as consultant, advocate, language instructor, and diagnostician. It is concluded that the component which could have the greatest effect on teacher education is program…

A survey of 983 special education teachers in Nebraska found that almost one third taught health education to students with disabilities, however, many of these teachers did not perceive themselves as being adequately prepared or confident in their ability to address health education issues related to students with disabilities. (Author/CR)

This paper examines the student placement decision-making process since the 1950s noting trends. The process is seen to include accumulating relevant data, analysis of data, and exploration of possible placement options. Creative and appropriate programing is emphasized. The role of the teacher of visually handicapped students is clarified.…