A study investigated the perceptions and level of knowledge of special education law, policies, and procedures among regular education teachers (n=303) and special education teachers (n=52) in Mississippi. The seven principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that ensure the delivery of educational services for students…

This paper describes the first year of a 3-year project to identify the specific skills of expert special education teachers. The project has three objectives: (1) to develop a knowledge base of identified expert special educators who work with culturally and linguistically diverse students with mild/moderate disabilities; (2) to field-test…

This paper is a report on the findings of a study conducted in a graduate level course for teaching and learning with the Internet for high school teachers working with students having severe learning and emotional disabilities. Qualitative interview data were used to explore issues throughout the course as teachers used information in their…

This study examined the effects of using expert models on the reflective thought of preservice special educators during classroom instruction. Nonintervention students completed seminars emphasizing Stalling's Active Teaching and Learning and Learning to Teach in Inner City Schools and the Diverse Populations curriculum. The seminars included…

Discusses the barriers that impede special education teachers from adopting research findings in the field of special education. The lack of communication between educators and researchers, the need to teach teachers how to evaluate research using scientific criteria, and teacher resistance to change are discussed. (CR)

A survey of 28 National Network for Educational Renewal (NNER) colleges found there was a small core of faculty (21%) who were highly committed to the NNER precept of parity for special education faculty and there was less commitment at the secondary level, particularly for integrated teacher training. (Contains references.) (CR)

This position statement explains the life skills instruction approach, considers why life skills instruction is important for students with disabilities, recommends that such instruction be given in the least restrictive environment (preferably the community), and delineates the responsibilities of general educators and special educators. (DB)

Supportive learning activities were implemented in a multiple-baseline time series design across four fifth-grade classrooms to evaluate the effects of a cooperative teaching alternative (supportive learning) on teaching behavior, the behavior and grades of general and special education students, and the opinions of general education teachers.…

Describes the beliefs, knowledge, and classroom practices of a successful bilingual special educator, noting factors that shaped her teaching, including her own experiences as a second-language learner. Notes the teacher's emphasis on interactive teaching that weaves students' first language and culture with direct instruction, practice, and…

Two preservice teachers working with middle school students with severe disabilities participated in this study of the acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of skills relating to use of positive consequences and instructional prompts. Results indicated that immediate feedback was more effective than delayed feedback, skills were maintained…

This study found that 246 regular and 42 special education high school teachers had dissimilar views of their ability to provide learning-disabled students with competencies considered important for college entry by 82 college faculty. Special educators and college faculty were quite similar in perception of students' needs. (Author/JDD)

A graduate course at the University of New Hampshire is intended to help special educators of young children to develop communication and collaboration skills. Program evaluation has indicated that attitudes of professionals and their interactions with parents were changed in the direction of greater empathy, increased respect, and more…

This article describes a three-year project of the Council for Exceptional Children to provide continuing education for special and regular teachers, other professionals, and parents concerning attention deficit disorder (ADD). The project is developing four training modules which address (1) characteristics and identification; (2) model school…

Describes ways that students with special needs are being included in regular classrooms through technology. Highlights include school-to-work programs; student electronic journals; adaptive technology; science activities using computer simulations; a reverse inclusion model; mainstreaming; and programs with senior citizens. (LRW)

A national survey of 502 general education teachers found that teachers perceived communication problems among teachers and parents as a serious impediment to the effective use of homework with mainstreamed students with learning disabilities. Problems included frequency and quality of communication with parents, role of the special education…