ERIC Number: EJ1135523
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2325-7466
EISSN: N/A
A Qualitative Study of Special Education Certification Methods and How They Affect Teacher Efficacy
Green, Sean
Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, p88-100 Win 2012
A teacher shortage in the area of special education has led to an increase in the number of special education teachers who are teaching out-of-field. The lack of pedagogical training of these teachers creates concern about the effectiveness of these teachers. This qualitative study explores the teacher-efficacy of four special education teachers with varying backgrounds. One of the teachers was a traditionally certified special education teacher; the other teachers had received their initial certification in areas other than special education, and later became certified in special education by passing a state examination. Qualitative data demonstrated that all four had genuine concern for their students, and all four voiced belief in their ability to teach students with disabilities. However, there was a clear difference in instructional strategies used as well as their concerns about external factors, which may affect a student's ability to learn.
Descriptors: Qualitative Research, Special Education Teachers, Evaluation Methods, Teacher Effectiveness, Self Efficacy, Teacher Shortage, Disabilities, Educational Strategies, Questionnaires, Teacher Attitudes, Educational Attitudes, Alternative Teacher Certification
American Academy of Special Education Professionals. 3642 East Sunnydale Drive, Chandler Heights, AZ 85142. Tel: 800-754-4421; Fax: 800-424-0371; e-mail: editor@aasep.org; Web site: http://www.aasep.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Georgia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A