In this study, the authors represent an exploratory investigation of current preparation of preservice teachers related to response to intervention (RTI) in institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) Regional Resource and Federal Centers (RRFCs) North Central Region and Pennsylvania. In this study,…

Analyzes the important challenges that researchers face in the creation and use of a knowledge base for restructuring teacher education in the field of special education. Promising avenues for research to meet these challenges are delineated and the critical roles of multiparadigmatic teacher communities are highlighted. (Author/CR)

Five alternatives to traditional field experiences in special education are described and contrasted, including: infusion of experiences within content courses; traditional experiences offered during the summer session; working practica; roving practica; and specialized field-experiences. It is argued that these alternatives can provide…

West Virginia University's five-year preservice teacher education program prepares general education teachers for students with special needs. Using a strand approach, special education learning outcomes and competencies have been incorporated into core education courses. A survey of 72 program participants and 11 faculty members indicates…

A study involving 230 university special educators found they have heard of self-determination as a concept and believe it is important to teach the core skills that allow students with disabilities an opportunity to be self-determined. However, knowledge they received in undergraduate and graduate programs fell short of their needs. (Contains…

Describes the portfolio-assessment process in the Special Education Program at Georgia Southern University. The portfolio-assessment process allows preservice teachers the opportunity to demonstrate their professional growth throughout the course of their teacher-education program. It has also fostered a mentoring relationship between students and…

Explores how secondary transition initiatives for students with disabilities have influenced the implementation of secondary curriculum and preparation of secondary educators, recommending that to prepare all secondary students for their futures, secondary educators must acquire a knowledge base in vocational values and domains, technological…

A survey of 258 directors/chairpersons of special education teacher preparation programs, and comparison with 1980 survey data, found that preservice teachers were not receiving adequate preparation in the area of sex education. The inclusion of sex education in the teacher training curriculum is urged. (DB)

Preservice and inservice teachers enrolled in an inclusion course interviewed 28 teachers teaching in inclusive classrooms. Over half of the interviewed teachers failed to mention the importance of support services in their definitions of inclusion and the majority indicated teaching in inclusive settings is to some degree problematic. (Contains…

This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of the early intervention interdisciplinary preservice program at the University of Oregon. This master's degree program used both "measurement of" and "reflection about" preservice efforts to address important questions regarding program effectiveness and identify…

A study investigated the effectiveness of the Case Method of Instruction (CMI) on 67 graduate students taking an interdisciplinary course on families. After instruction, students not only possessed important knowledge related to working with families, but could also apply the problem-solving process used in CMI to a novel case. (Author/CR)

A self-study process is outlined for engaging teacher educators in collegial conversations about the effective use of technology in special education teacher preparation. Five discussion topics are outlined: (1) professional standards; (2) current practice snapshots; (3) visions of technology integration; (4) utilizing a technology integration…

This article describes a university course designed to introduce preservice teachers to current technologies, help them attain a reasonable skill level using these technologies, develop effective integration strategies, and become critical thinkers and evaluators of digital information. The development and evaluation of the program is discussed.…

This article describes the teacher preparation program in Texas that has evolved from a traditional 4-year program, to an alternative certification route, then to a post-baccalaureate certification. An analysis of each program's results indicates teachers who completed the traditional undergraduate program were better qualified to teach than those…

This article describes how Problem-Based Learning (PBL) was used to help prospective teachers (1) define various disabilities; (2) learn teaching strategies for inclusion settings; and (3) value collaboration with other professionals. Quantitative and qualitative data on the PBL experience of 44 preservice teachers support the use of PBL in the…