Using iPads as the Digital Tool to Integrate Authentic Assignments into a Teacher Preparation Program

Integrating or infusing topics across a teacher preparation program is often seen as being desirable. This article describes an evaluation process that was used to assess the degree to which all core courses in an initial teacher preparation program integrated special education, technology, and issues of cultural diversity into a general education curriculum. The participatory utilization-focused evaluation process is described in detail. This process allowed the faculty to become more focused and purposeful about their work, safely examine their instructional content and practices, clarify the program across multiple sections of courses, and use the evaluation as a springboard for conversations about program foundations and philosophical debates.

This study examined considerations for delivering online instruction and related services to students with disabilities. The purpose of the study was to uncover teachers’ reflections about their experiences with online learning for students with disabilities as a response to COVID-19. We used an online open-ended survey to collect reflections from practicing teachers, who were graduates of a special education program at a university in Florida. Our findings highlighted challenges and unanticipated benefits of online service delivery. We discussed how administrators should streamline instructional-delivery platforms and procedures for teachers, students, and families. We recommended ensuring that Individualized Education Planning (IEP) teams consider priorities for future pandemics and natural disasters. Keywords: Online learning, special education teachers, students with disabilities, COVID-19, administrators.

The paper contributes to the existing literature in assessing the quality of the Special Education Teacher Preparation Program in light of the standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (CAEP).The study sample consisted of (48) faculty members, of whom (28) were males and (20) females, and the questionnaire was used to collect data. the results showed that the degree of evaluating the quality of the special education teacher preparation program in the universities of the northern governorates in Jordan in the light of the standards of the Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (CAEP) was medium, and the results showed that there were statistically significant differences according to the gender variable in favor of females. And the academic rank in favor of the lower ranks, The study recommended the need to review the experiences of other countries in the field of preparing programs for special education teachers according to other international standards and evaluate them according to the latest developments in this field.

After more than 20 years of a critical shortage in special education teachers, this mid-Atlantic state expedited program development for undergraduate-level teacher preparation programs. To meet the accelerated timeline, one programat a large public university used its graduate-level coursework as a model for the undergraduate level program. After initial implementation, it was clear that revisions were necessary. In this article, we provide a description of the program revision activities conducted, including (a) building a representative advisory board, (b) conducting a needs assessment, (c) developing a coherent curriculum map, (d) creating an action plan and implementing reforms, and (e) reviewing ongoing activities for continuous improvement. Implications are described, including how special education teacher preparation programs can use the CEEDAR Center Roadmap to Educator Preparation Reform to guide data-based program revisions, conduct a Q-Sort Activity as a systematic way to identify program priorities, and engage in program review activities, ultimately to better prepare special educators and reduce the teacher shortage.

Special education teachers have students in their classrooms with a variety of needs, and it is their responsibility to meet these needs for all students. Research shows special education teachers oftentimes enter the field with limited knowledge and skills to serve students with complex communication needs. The lack of background in augmentative and alternative communication practices is detrimental, as communication skills are fundamental for students’ independence. To better understand the needs of special education teachers, a survey was conducted to identify recommendations from the experts, U.S. in-service special education teachers, to incoming educators on augmentative and alternative practices. Results show that certain participant demographics impacted the recommendations offered to incoming special education teachers. Practical implications for incoming special education teachers, school administrators, and teacher preparation programs are discussed, along with suggestion for future research directions.

Long-standing special education teacher (SET) shortages and declining enrollment in SET preparation programs in the United States (U.S.) have resulted in a significant number of alternatively-certified SETs in classrooms, particularly in poverty-impacted schools. As a result, the least experienced teachers often serve in schools with historically underserved students. It is critical to understand the needs and experiences of these teachers to support them better. This qualitative study examined twelve first- and second-year, alternatively certified special educators’ experiences in inclusive classrooms in poverty-impacted schools in the U.S. Participants completed a brief survey of demographics and daily experiences, two semi-structured interviews, and member checks. Results were analyzed to understand participants' experiences teaching within inclusive settings. Key themes - an impossible task, feeling like they worked in “someone else’s stadium,” and a preference for separate settings - underscore the complexities of implementing inclusive education effectively. Recommendations for special and general education teacher and administrator preparation and ongoing support are provided.

The number of students who are English language learners (ELL) is increasing significantly across the United States. As this number increases, so does the number of students who are ELL and being identified as having disabilities. The intersection of English language instruction and special education is an emerging field of scholarship, and it is important that special education teacher preparation programs incorporate theoretical frameworks and evidence-based practice for students who are ELL into their teacher preparation programs. Indeed, there are several topics and techniques that can be incorporated into special education teacher preparation coursework that have natural connections to topics typically addressed. This article provides a framework to support the inclusion of these strategies as well as specific examples of activities that could be incorporated in coursework to strengthen the preparation of special educators to meet the needs of students who are ELL.

Teacher reflection has been promoted as a necessary tool for educators to sustain responsive instructional practices. A variety of approaches for integrating inquiry into teaching and reflection in practice emerged from extensive and intensive efforts to reform teacher preparation programs. Based on those conceptualizations, a three-level model of reflection for preservice students was developed and is described. The scaffold levels include technical reflection involving a critique of lesson development and delivery, a deliberative level involving interactive journal writing and video-based analysis, and critical reflection involving topical discussion during seminars. Specific examples and discussion guides are presented, and recommendations for special education teacher preparation programs are offered.

Special education teacher preparation programs vary in their usage of practices (e.g., modeling and performance feedback) that have consistently been shown to effectively coach pre-service teachers to sustain high-quality implementation of teaching practices. Research even suggests that some pre-service special education teachers may not receive any of these coaching practices during their field experiences. In this article, we describe a feasible multimedia coaching option for teacher educators and teacher candidates to use to streamline the observation and coaching process using effective coaching practices and improved consistency. Specifically, this multimedia tool can be used to document pre-service teacher practice, generate feedback, deliver targeted instruction, and provide the opportunity for structured self-reflection.

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence-based information about future special education teachers’ perceptions of their preparation for using assistive technology (AT), and the field status with respect to the use of AT. Content analysis was conducted in order to analyze the data from 15 semi-structured interviews and a focus group consisting of 8 participants. The results indicate that overall, the participants were dissatisfied with their preparation programs and the field status regarding the use of AT. Furthermore, the participants reported barriers and ethical considerations regarding the use of AT. Implications and recommendations are provided both for the research community and for decision-makers for special education teacher preparation programs and in the field.

Enhancing quality: Listening to participant voices to improve our Master's program in special education

During the last decade teacher educators' interest in the Case Method of Instruction (CMI) has revived due to pressure from within and outside of the profession. CMI uses cases, or real-life situations, to enable prospective teachers to solve problems they may encounter in the classroom. The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines for effectively implementing CMI in special education teacher preparation programs. The reader is provided with information about how to write cases, how to access (and assess) commercially-available cases, and how to present a case. Examples of inservice applications of CMI are provided, along with a discussion relating to evaluation issues.

In 2015, the National Goals Conference for and with people with intellectual disability encouraged the field of special education to recruit and retain more Black teachers. In this grounded theory study, 18 Black men were interviewed to learn more about experiences surrounding recruitment and retention in special education teacher-preparation programs (SETPPs) and for teaching careers in special education. Findings led to the development of a theory based on three constructs: (a) motivations for becoming a special education teacher, (b) attractions to SETPPs, and (c) focused strategies for recruitment and retention that indicated several strategies that SETPPs and school divisions should consider (e.g., funding, distance education program, mentorship) when attempting to recruit and retain Black males into training programs and for special education careers. The implication for the special education teacher workforce and potential for future research are discussed.

Understanding the context of the demand for special education (SE) teacher education (TE) faculty is important because it can provide faculty at doctoral-granting universities with useful information for program planning. Knowing more about SE teacher preparation programs currently in place and program revisions being planned allows doctoral programs to be more responsive to their consumers. Doctoral students seeking careers in academe will be better able to prepare for the jobs they fill in the future. With this intent in mind, in fall of 2009, the Special Education Faculty Needs Assessment (SEFNA) surveyed a sample of SE TE coordinators. The survey requested information about past, present, and future concentrations or programmatic offerings. It also asked questions about projected need for new faculty resulting from attrition, program expansion, and expanded faculty roles. In addition, the survey gathered information about current staffing patterns at these college and university preparation programs. A two-phased, nonprobability, purposeful sampling approach was employed. Programs in small and large states were sampled, and the survey obtained a 78.1% response rate ( n = 57). Results indicate that SE teacher preparation programs are not closing. Rather, the roles of SE faculty and the programs they offer will expand greatly in the upcoming 5 years. This expansion is expected at a time of significant attrition, some 21% annually due to retirements alone, making it clear that demand for new faculty will far outstrip the supply in the next few years.

Professional development schools (PDSs) have become an important component of preservice teacher preparation. Researchers investigating the effect of the PDS model on the principal stakeholders (preservice teachers, classroom teachers, students, and university faculty) have reported many positive effects. The role of the PDS in special education teacher preparation, however, appears to be less well defined. This article focuses on PDS participation of special education teacher preparation programs and addresses the apparent reluctance to embrace the PDS model.