Itinerant special educators can be much more than "tutors" for young children with special needs. They can transform whole classrooms and help inclusion flourish--if they have the clear guidelines and best practices they need to make the most of their critical roles. This is the book that every itinerant early childhood special educator has been…

The resource teacher's role in providing inservice training to regular educators is examined. The paper then describes an Action Plan Approach in which regular education teachers and the resource room teacher jointly identify problems commonly associated with mainstreaming and utilize combined efforts to resolve the problem. The advantages to the…

Subjects like Earth science often rely on "ready made" hands-on materials such as kits and modules to support understanding and science inquiry. However, sometimes the materials need adaptations to make sure they suit students' and teachers needs. As part of the Allegheny Schools Science Education and Technology (ASSET) program, the authors…

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of curriculum-based measurement (CBM), with and without diagnostic feed-back, on general and special educators' instructional planning in reading. Participants were 19 second-grade teachers with their 309 students without disabilities and 16 resource teachers with their 127 first-through…

This article reports findings from an exploratory study of how learning support and resource teachers perceive each other's role. The study was conducted during the debate on the proposed changes to allocation and deployment of support teachers, following the publication of Circular 24/03 by the Department of Education and Science. It sought to…

Resource teachers are offered six suggestions to increase the utilization of their consultation services by regular teachers. Suggestions include being a good listener, offering alternative suggestions, planning a follow-up meeting, encouraging informal contacts, and sharing information. (DB)

Vocational Resource Educators (VREs) assist students with disabilities, place them in vocational programs in which they can successfully meet competencies, and create bridges across deficit areas to provide training programs so that students can gain competitive employment. VREs also participate as members of Individualized Education Program (IEP)…

Suggestions for special education teachers preparing for parent-teacher conferences include: preparing a folder showing students' tests, assignments, and progress; and encouraging a two-way dialogue by providing a supportive environment. Suggestions for parents include being responsive and receptive to teachers' suggestions and asking for…

Faculty development through peer observation, faculty revitalization through curricular change, and interdisciplinary work are addressed in this newsletter issue. The peer observation process is primarily directed toward fine-tuning or adjusting existing competencies, and usually focuses on factors such as questioning, clarity, organization,…

Designed to identify and develop reading skills, stimulate the desire to read, promote an appreciation of literature, and encourage reading as a lifelong habit, the Department of Defense Dependents Schools Comprehensive Reading Program presented in this pamphlet outlines the major functions of the reading improvement specialist (RIS). These…

A critical examination of problems in delivery services to students with mild learning and behavior problems points out weaknesses in special education programs. These programs have grown indiscriminately, resulting in over-identification of "handicapped" students. The special education placement system is time-consuming and is not the most…

Intended for use by individuals, teacher education institutions, private and corporate educational, vocational, and social agencies, and the general public, this guide presents the International Reading Association's recommendations for the preparation of teachers concerning knowledge of the reading process and reading instruction. The document's…

The study group of five teachers who examined aspects of the Kentucky Beginning Teacher Internship program developed this guide for beginning teachers. Members of the group (3 resource teachers and 2 first-year teachers) surveyed a random sample of 234 interns to assess their opinions about the internship program and to aggregate advice they would…

The resource paper for regular and special teachers of learning disabled students on cooperative initiatives between regular and special education is presented in a question and answer format. The following questions are discussed: How can I recognize children with learning disabilities in my classroom? If I suspect a student to have a learning…

This handbook is intended to assist vocational resource educators (VREs) in fulfilling the role of a facilitator in mainstreaming handicapped students and assisting them in the transitions into vocational programs and into work. It is presented in a question and answer format and organized around seven goals for VREs: (1) develop a communication…