While experiential learning experiences provide important professional development opportunities for all college students, successful real-world experience is even more important for students with disabilities, who experience decreased success within the professional setting. This study investigated what information disability resource office…

This analysis of the Special Education edTPA is written by two professors who co-taught a student teaching seminar at one institution and supported the first groups of teacher candidates required to submit the edTPA for certification in New York State. Data were gathered over three semesters and included open-ended student surveys, student…

Over 10 years, five state colleges and universities in a Midwestern state offered blended early childhood education training programs. A total of 242 teachers with unified ECE teaching endorsements in this state completed an online survey exploring their preparedness for work in inclusive settings with children birth to grade 3. Results describe…

Education for people with a disability has changed over the years, moving from a philosophy of integration to inclusion. This philosophy requires a whole school approach spanning issues such as access, opportunities for learning, social experiences and developing a culture of acceptance. While this poses many challenges for individuals, schools…

During the final semester of a student teaching program, 87 pre-service teachers in a dual certification (special education and elementary education) program completed a research based 22-item Perceptions of Inclusion Survey. In addition, five Special Education Directors for the six districts in which students were placed participated in…

Teacher educators have an obligation to prepare pre-service teachers to understand and work with the diversity represented by students across K-12 schools. However, diversity is much broader than the categories of race or ethnicity. Because of current legislative mandates' emphasis on providing access to the general education curriculum for…

Preparing teachers to meet the needs of children with disabilities remains a complex challenge. General education teachers feel unprepared, and attrition and teacher shortages in special education remain high. Despite a trend toward inclusive education, many children continue to be educated in segregated settings. This study explores the potential…