The problem in an elementary school in Southern Texas was poor reading performance on grade level and progress monitoring tests for students with disabilities (SWDs). SWDs may learn to read proficiently when reading instruction is provided using the support facilitation model (SFM) that features a special educator who helps SWDs in literacy or…

The potential benefits of co-teaching for students with disabilities are numerous, but more research is needed to ascertain the effectiveness of and preferences toward the current models. The purpose of this study was to (1) investigate student and teacher perceptions regarding the five co-teaching models (i.e., One Teach/One Assist, Station…

Deaf teachers around the world have folk models and beliefs that reflect their understanding of what deaf children need to learn in order to develop healthy identities as deaf people. In this research we report what teachers from England, the USA and Mexico have told us about using creative signing with deaf children. Themes emerging from our data…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) have influenced an increase in the numbers of students who receive special education services in general education classrooms. The (IDEA) emphasizes the general education setting as the initial and natural setting for all students to be educated in the…

Enumerates negative emotions that early childhood teachers may feel when first encountering the handicapped child and suggests ways to overcome these feelings. (KS)

Students and recent graduates of a generic undergraduate special education program based on the Direct Instruction model as a basis for methods instruction were surveyed about their attitudes toward it. Results supported previous findings with inservice teachers that experience with Direct Instruction increases positive attitudes toward it.…

Assessment of the impact of a collaborative inclusion model involving 670 students with disabilities in 26 schools revealed that student growth was similar in the inclusion and "pull-out" models, general and special education teachers felt quality of service had improved with inclusion, and inclusion was associated with lower rates of…

Discussions with exemplary Colorado general and special education coteachers led to development of three metaphors for the coteaching process: (1) yin and yang (the uniqueness and unity of the two teachers); (2) the dance (the rhythm, fluidity, and automaticity of effective collaboration); and (3) the particle and the stream (the thriving of…

Two groups of 35 special education teacher trainees from Caribbean nations rated the importance of a list of characteristics of effective teachers. Results suggest the value of a model of teacher education that integrates content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and practice in context. (DB)

A case study of a secondary general educator involved in a collaborative-teaching model in an inclusive suburban high school, found that replicating and sustaining collaborative teaching can be difficult, complex and, without careful consideration of contextual variables, may not lead to improved outcomes for teachers or students. (Author/CR)

Resource teachers (n=124) from 69 middle and junior high schools responded to a survey about the collaboration model at their school site. Results indicated that resource programs are usually a combination of collaboration and traditional pull-out models. Teachers viewed the collaboration model positively, reported administrative support, and…

Co-teaching is undertaken because students with disabilities are more likely to have their needs met if their supports are moved to the general education classroom. In co-taught lessons, a special educator and a general educator teach together in the general education classroom during some portion of the instructional day in order to accommodate…

This report discusses the outcomes of a New Jersey program designed to implement a responsible model for including students with disabilities into general education sixth, seventh, and eight grade classrooms. A major element of the "Toward Inclusive Education" (TIE) project included an intensive 2-week inservice program provided during…