ERIC Number: EJ1147743
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Mar
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-8756-8705
EISSN: N/A
Preparing Early Childhood Special Educators in Appalachian Kentucky
McLaren, Elizabeth; Rutland, Julie Harp
Rural Special Education Quarterly, v32 n1 p47-55 Mar 2013
National shortages of qualified personnel in the field of early childhood special education are well documented, with shortages magnified in regions characterized by poverty and rural geography. This article provides an overview of the challenges faced and innovations implemented by an alternate-track, personnel preparation program in Appalachian Kentucky attempting to (a) address the chronic shortage of highly-qualified early childhood personnel and (b) meet the needs of nontraditional students dispersed across a rural region where accessibility to traditional programs limits participation and enrollment. Strategies implemented to overcome obstacles common to rural teacher preparation include flexibility in course delivery methods (on-line, face-to-face, hybrid, and weekend workshops) and practicum placement.
Descriptors: Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Teacher Shortage, Alternative Teacher Certification, Nontraditional Students, Rural Schools, Barriers, Program Descriptions, Delivery Systems, Teacher Education Programs, Program Effectiveness, Practicums, Educational Strategies, Training Methods
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kentucky
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A