The purpose of this study was to examine the nature and extent that undergraduate special education programs teach special education law. Extant data from the state department of education websites and a sample of university department webpages (n = 67) were analyzed to identify educational requirements. In addition, a sample of faculty…

We used 14 years of state licensure and classroom data from Virginia to follow 19,878 special education teachers (SETs) who completed either the alternative route (AR) internship or traditional programs. Findings reveal that a greater percentage of SETs of color participated in AR programs compared to traditional licensure programs, while a…

The shortage of special education teachers has prompted the creation of alternative certification programs. The effectiveness of the University of Memphis's (U of M's) 14-year-old alternative Special Education Institute program in preparing teachers to teach and remain in the field was examined. The program was compared to the U of M's traditional…

Adoption of the edTPA as part of new teacher licensing and/or program approval requirements has created heated discussions among teacher educators. Among the discussion topics is the supposition that state-level bureaucrats have been the sole source of the decision to require the edTPA, with little input from the preparation programs. This article…

This article focuses on proposed reforms for the continuing professional development stage of the teacher preparation continuum. It includes information on performance standards practicing special educators will need to address, proposed changes in licensure and certification, and proposed reforms in continuing professional development…

Johns Hopkins University (Maryland) has developed a field-based two-year experimental program leading to alternative certification (AC) and a master's degree in special education. The program features special recruitment procedures, intensive on-the-job university-based supervision, and local school mentoring. Evaluation of the AC teachers during…

This article describes development and implementation of the Western Carolina University Teacher Support Program, a multi-component Web-based special education teacher development course. The program is intended to reduce stress and burnout, improve retention, develop problem solving strategies, and improve the effectiveness of teachers.…

A model higher education in-service project in Louisiana, called Success and Certification for Special Education Starters, has been implemented to support and assist first-year special education teachers and noncertified special education teachers. The project is based on a faculty consultation and supervision model where students earn university…

A survey of 160 teacher education programs and state certification departments in all 50 states showed a continuing trend for states to establish separate certificates for elementary and secondary level special education teachers along with significant differences in college/university training programs in states that require separate secondary…

This article describes the Collaborative Teacher Education Program (CTEP) at Indiana University, which uses distance education to offer special education certification coursework to elementary and secondary teachers in rural communities. Approximately 600 teachers have participated in CTEP since 1987. The article describes the program's students,…

In an effort to better serve the school districts within its service area and the unique credential candidate population, California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) implemented an accelerated alternative certification program based upon the Professional Development School (PDS) model hereinafter referred to as SPED PDS. During the…

In response to Utah's establishment of state special education certification standards, the University of Utah has developed a teacher education program with two distinctive features: field experience as half the program, and mastery learning of specific objectives leading to endorsement. (MSE)

More and more colleges and universities are utilizing web-based instruction to meet the educational needs of teachers seeking certification in special education, and effective course design strategies for using this technology are needed. In this article we present results form a survey of 54 teachers who evaluated 6 design considerations for…

A study involving 54 preservice teachers examined the outcomes of an alternative basic certification program in special education offered by the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Results found the program was effective, attracted more mature, diverse, life-experienced individuals than traditional education programs, and included more minority…

Preparing educators to teach in inclusive classrooms is a critical first step in ensuring that all students in P-12 programs receive exemplary educational services. The need to restructure personnel preparation in response to the increasing diversity and inclusiveness of public school classrooms has evolved from discussion and debate more than a…