The article discusses the problems and stresses teachers of the gifted may encounter in working with other teachers and the school system. The difference between role pressure, which is seen as a positive pressure, and role strain, which is viewed as a negative force leading to low morale, tension, and poor communication patterns, is considered.…

The author reviews past struggles over professional identity issues between speech therapists and learning disabilities (LD) teachers and current problems between reading teachers, occupational therapists, and LD teachers. (CL)

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,…

Describes the growing nihilism in teacher education and the charge that special education is not special but rather good general education. Discusses the need for special education teachers to articulate what is special about what special educators do, or risk being seen as inconsequential. (CR)

The seminar examined integration of blind children into regular primary schools in Argentina through defining the functions of the "integrating teacher" and the classroom teacher, specifying components of educational planning for the integrated blind child, and evaluating the importance of inter-institutional actions on integration. (DB)

The role of the special educator in collaborative consultation with regular educators is discussed in terms of problems in the practice of consultation, consultation as a mutual and reciprocal schoolwide activity, consultation as a facilitative process, consultation as a routine professional role, and the language of consultation. (DB)

Special education teachers are urged to examine their understanding of principles of science instruction and the development of basic science literacy in students. Basic scientific thinking skills are compared to basic reading skills. Suggestions are offered to the special educator who either teaches science directly or who works with a regular…

The role of the itinerant teacher in working with students with hearing impairments is described. Practical guidelines are offered for coping with professional challenges, scheduling time with students, working harmoniously with general education teachers, organizing materials and space, and dealing with the requirements of travel among schools.…

Issues in the disclosure of special education student records and invasion of privacy are discussed. The article reviews what information teachers must disclose and may disclose, what information must be safeguarded, who has access to confidential information, what record of access must be maintained, and what information is not subject to…

Results of a survey of 49 state directors of special education are reported in terms of degree to which secondary learning-disabled (LD) students receive content area coursework from special educators; the pattern and projected growth in such models; and the perceived adequacy of secondary LD teacher training programs for providing content…

This study examined the practices of 321 special education teachers with responsibility for supervising paraprofessionals. Teachers reported little preparation for supervision; most were not involved in hiring but were responsible for evaluation; most provided oral, not written instructions; few held regular meetings with paraprofessionals; and…

Questions and answers address: (1) connections between access of students with disabilities to the general curriculum and Universal design for Learning; (2) the changing role of the special educator; (3) differences between assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning; and (4) guidelines for increasing curricular accessibility. (DB)

In this study, the purpose was to examine Kuwaiti special education teachers' attitudes toward autistic students in the Autism School in Kuwait. This research study is divided into two parts: Introduction (the problem statement, the purpose statement, the research questions, definition of terms), and Procedures (using a case study in research, the…

The authors studied how care provision and educational and therapeutic support for children with profound multiple disabilities are organized and coordinated in the German-, French-, and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland. Study questions were: (a) how do the care and educational elements of support coexist in the everyday life of these…

Professional role performance difficulties experienced by 23 first year itinerant specialists in the field of special education were studied in Illinois public schools (excluding Chicago). An itinerant specialist is a teacher with specialized training in a particular disability who provides services to students on a homebound basis, in a hospital…