ERIC Number: EJ789112
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 12
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0888-4064
EISSN: N/A
Early Childhood Special Educators Reflect on their Preparation and Practice
Lava, Valerie F.; Recchia, Susan L.; Giovacco-Johnson, Tricia
Teacher Education and Special Education, v27 n2 p190-201 2004
Twenty-five recent graduates of a Master's Program in Early Childhood Special Education participated in focus group interviews designed to explore their perceptions and experiences regarding their first years of practice in urban schools. Findings revealed that participants faced many challenges including collaboration with colleagues, seeking and finding support, working with complex family issues, and dealing with the demands of a large bureaucratic system. Implications for personnel preparation programs are discussed and recommendations are provided, focusing on the needs of early childhood special education teachers.
Descriptors: Urban Schools, Focus Groups, Special Needs Students, Teacher Qualifications, Teaching Skills, Disabilities, Young Children, Special Education Teachers, Special Education, Masters Degrees, Teacher Attitudes, Teaching Conditions, Teacher Collaboration, Family School Relationship, School Administration, Teacher Education, Teacher Competencies
Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Available from: Allen Press, Inc. 810 East 10th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. Tel: 800-627-0629; Web site: http://www.tese.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A