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…

The first article in this special issue is about the doctoral programs, the suppliers of new doctoral graduates in special education. It focuses on one component of a larger effort, the Special Education Faculty Needs Assessment (SEFNA) project, which investigated many aspects of the supply of new doctoral graduates as well as the demand for new…

As the field of special education (SE) examines issues related to supply and demand of SE teachers and faculty, an investigation of students currently enrolled in doctoral programs and doctoral graduates is an important perspective to consider. The results of two components of the "Special Education Faculty Needs Assessment" (SEFNA), focused on…

Three studies are described in this article. Each is focused on a different aspect of the long-standing initiative that supports special education doctoral students. This initiative is one of the discretionary programs of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act that is managed by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of…

The roles and obligations of teacher educators have expanded substantially in recent years. Expectations have increased because of national concerns about the overall achievement results of all students and because of specific federal mandates--expressed in reauthorizations of the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals With Disabilities…

After a systematic national search, 86 special education doctoral programs were found to be active in 1999. Program administrators were surveyed and results indicate most special education doctoral programs are under enrolled, doctoral students' enrollment has declined 30% over the last 20 years, and programs are not highly selective. (Contains…

A survey of 1,267 doctoral students found their primary consideration in selecting a doctoral program was not having to relocate. Students were fairly satisfied with the training they received in research skills, less so in areas of college teaching, administration/supervision, and diversity. Less than half were interested in faculty positions.…

Discussion of the need for diversity in the teaching force, especially in special education, focuses on Congress's efforts to address this issue. It describes the Alliance 2000 Project, a federal program created to provide technical assistance to the nation's minority colleges and universities to increase their access to personnel preparation…

This study surveyed 146 recent graduates from special-education doctoral programs concerning the following: motivating factors for obtaining a doctoral degree, considerations when selecting initial careers, and the effects of marriage and family on those decisions. Salary, relocation factors, and prior career experiences strongly influenced…

A survey of university special education department chairpersons suggests there may soon be a lack of doctoral-level faculty members to train future special education personnel. Charts give information on estimated teacher supply and demand to 1992, special education faculty salaries, yearly supplemental income, types of degree by rank, and age…

Analysis of 188 returned questionnaires from graduates of doctoral special education programs from 1989 through 1991 found that 58% took jobs in institutions of higher education, though only 37% accepted positions as tenure-track faculty members. Career goals remained constant from program admission to graduation. (Author/DB)

This paper addresses the need for a national comprehensive data collection system to guide policy on special education faculty supply and demand. It discusses current information about special education leadership personnel, the historical roots of leadership training, and the influence of federal grant programs. Topics to be included in such a…

This article reviews and synthesizes recent research on higher education faculty shortages in the special education field, and outlines areas of needed research. Issues discussed include high attrition rates, faculty diversity, and insufficient and misplaced incentives. Strengths and weaknesses of available research are discussed. (Author/PB)