This book is intended to assist educators to meet the needs of a diverse population of children with varying cognitive abilities; developmental and learning disabilities; sensory impairments; and different cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is based on the premise that children of differing abilities and backgrounds will…

One of nine competency-based training modules for personnel preparation in early childhood special education, this guide focuses on behavior management and development of self control. All modules are adaptable for use with a general audience, direct service personnel, or administrators and are based on the following principles: developmentally…

This paper synthesizes issues and informational needs regarding the supply and demand for doctoral level personnel in special education and stresses the importance of obtaining accurate data on teacher supply and demand for planning training activities and analyzing manpower needs. Existing findings on teacher employment, teacher shortages,…

This study used focused interviews, participant observations, and document review to identify five organizational and personal factors that 40 teachers (general education, special education, and specialists) in a small rural school district reported as affecting their receptivity to change: (1) the degree to which schools are ready for change; (2)…

This study surveyed 7 special education teachers, 30 regular education teachers (a 46% response), and 32 parents of special education students (also a 46% response) in a rural Ohio school district about their attitudes towards experimental models for special education service delivery. The school district serves 1,232 students, with approximately…

The handbook provides rural school administrators and teachers with information concerning a vocational service delivery model for mentally retarded, learning disabled, and behaviorally impaired youth in Nebraska. The handbook describes the program's background, goals, implementation, and development. It also describes the central role of…

This self-instructional module, one of 16 on techniques for coordinating work experience programs, provides preservice and inservice educational materials for teacher-coordinators supervising on-the-job training. The two goals for this module are to know the purposes and features of a training agreement and to be able to complete a training…

The study reported in this document examined how special education administrators and staff in 100 school districts were involved in the adoption of new educational technology. The sample was drawn from the known population list of operating school districts from the Common Core of Data of the National Center for Educational Statistics. Selection…

This project was conducted to enable vocational teacher trainees and vocational practitioners and support personnel (e.g., special education teachers, developmental education specialists, counselors) to meet the special vocational needs of disadvantaged and handicapped learners in Oregon schools and colleges. To accomplish this objective, the…

This publication reviews teacher education programs in vocational special needs courses from 22 universities and reproduces a syllabus from each course and selected teaching materials. The publication includes (1) what courses are offered; (2) who teaches them; and (3) what makes them distinctive. Course offerings include introductory courses, as…

Intended for New York City special education teachers, the handbook presents information on classroom strategies as well as administrative matters. The initial chapter introduces quality instruction and examines aspects of the environment conducive to it. Also considered are the roles of support personnel and parents. Preparation for instruction,…

Observations by trained observers using the Descriptive Observation Record of Individualized Instruction were compiled on 335 teachers, who also completed a self-report of the Individualization of Instruction Inventory. Both inventory results were then examined with the purpose of determining the relationship between self-reports of the teachers…

This book highlights the problems that drive many special educators out of teaching and outlines practical recommendations that leaders can use to increase retention. Drawing on field experience as well as research findings, the author provides a comprehensive framework for supporting special educators. This book provides effective ways to: (1)…

Surveys show that 98% of school districts are reporting shortages of special education teachers, and that nearly a quarter of a million new special education teachers will be needed over the next few years. Special education teachers are leaving the field at twice the rate of general education teachers. Why? Special education teachers can quickly…

This book discusses the forces that create and perpetuate discrimination in special education and provides suggestions for eliminating discriminatory practices. An introduction describes the harmful effects of discrimination in special education. Chapters 1 and 2 discuss prejudice in special education and suggest how special education educators…