The first volume of a nine volume series contains the summary and federal policy recommendation report of the National Needs Assessment Project, which surveyed the educational media and materials needs of more than 30,000 special educators in 33 states. After an executive summary, the report includes an introduction to the study, a description of…

A study was conducted to determine the academic and behavioral growth of 50 learning disabled students (in grades 2-5) who participated in a teacher-consultant program for 1 year. As part of the program, the consultant provided remedial instruction, visited the regular teachers to monitor and evaluate the work of special students, shared…

Survey responses of state directors for gifted education (N=40) identified three (knowledge of educational and psychological needs, application of various instructional strategies, and modification of curricula) of 20 objectives as most important for programs preparing gifted teachers. Objectives concerning delivery models, identification of…

This report discusses the findings of a study that examined the reflections of identified "expert" special educators (n=20) working in a variety of instructional settings with diverse student populations. Special education supervisors were asked to nominate teachers who: (1) had at least five years of teaching experience, (2) were recognized among…

Conducted a national secondary school survey to determine the "state-of-the-art" in service delivery to learning disabled and emotionally disturbed adolescents. Volunteer teachers (N=320) completed a survey instrument regarding their own characteristics and those of their students and educational programs. Presents and discusses results.…

This study examined the developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) beliefs of 113 practitioners employed in either general early childhood service settings (n=74) or special education service settings (n=39). Although results were remarkably similar across settings, differences were related to the appropriateness of implementing behavioral…

The paper argues that prevailing models of teaching in special education rely on a technical conception of teaching, whereas technical skills should play a subsidiary role in service to teachers' broader understanding of the meaning of education and to their creative skills in bringing about experiences rich in educational potential. (JDD)

A survey of 123 special educators found that respondents did not feel adequately trained to work with individuals with profoundly handicapping conditions. For a variety of reasons, some teachers did not implement instructional techniques such as integration strategies, technological applications, and Piagetian procedures and such curricular areas…

A study investigated the impact of training and reflective frameworks (concerning effective instruction and problem solving) on reflective patterns of seven preservice special education teachers. Results indicated that the effective teaching frameworks had minimal impact on problem solving. However, direct training and use of a problem-solving…

A best practices checklist is provided to assist special education teachers in self-evaluation and peer evaluation, and assist administrators in providing feedback to teachers. The checklist covers introducing the lesson, presenting the lesson, encouraging student participation, and providing corrective feedback. Each area identifies specific…

Preservice special educators were introduced to computer-aided instruction and technology in their classes. In some cases, technology was discussed or demonstrated, while in others, students completed projects using computers. Pretesting and posttesting indicated that participation improved students' attitudes toward using computers in the…

A study of 22 elementary, middle, and secondary students with disabilities investigated the adequacy of Individualized Education Program (IEP) statements of present level of functioning and goals related to peer interactions. The study also evaluated the extent to which general and special education teachers employed teaching strategies that…

This paper discusses the development and use of case studies in the preservice education of teachers of the deaf and hard-of-hearing. It describes the guidelines for selecting decision-based cases, which were judged the most appropriate for instruction of prospective teachers. The selection of cases focused on choosing a critical incident,…

This practicum was designed to improve the delivery of special education services to all students with special needs in a rural Canadian school district. The goal was for teachers, as members of program planning teams, to design and implement individual program plans for exceptional students according to district special education policy…

A questionnaire sent to 274 Michigan special education teachers in resource rooms and self-contained classrooms were dsigned to identify the treatment methods and materials used by these teachers to teach penmanship and spelling to learning-disabled students. A review of the literature examines the theoretical background of written expression,…