The Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) requires teachers to address students' diverse learning needs to master increasingly rigorous state standards within a Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS). To actualize equitable learning opportunities, it is critical teachers be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide individualized, specially…

This article will showcase the power of collaborative relationships to transform pre-service learning and in-service practice in the area of inclusion. A middle school principal and college professor in Special Education partnered to address the need for support of inclusion students in schools and pre-service education in EPP's. The collaboration…

English language learners (ELs) present the fastest growing school population in the southeastern region. Therefore teachers need to be specifically prepared to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate support to ELs using research-evidenced practices. For this purpose, a southeastern university integrated an afterschool academic EL…

As the call for reform in STEM education has continued to increase over the past twenty-five years, new challenges arise for colleges and universities to seek high-quality professional development strategies and opportunities for faculty to upgrade and enhance their STEM teaching methodologies. Against this backdrop, the authors discuss what…

Determining what elementary teacher candidates need to know to effectively teach reading will aid in how preparation programs prepare future teachers. To understand state legislation targeting early reading instruction, this study compared the tenets of structured literacy, the reading method used in dyslexia programs, to scientific reading…

This article presents results of a field-based course for sophomore preservice teachers to prepare them to work effectively with English language learners (ELs). Qualitative and quantitative measures were taken to gain insight into the degree of course participants' increase of awareness about ELs' characteristics, their social and academic…

In the keynote address of the 42nd annual meeting of the Southeastern Regional Educators Association (SRATE), ATE President Karen Embry-Jenlink examines the critical role of teacher educators in preparing the next generation of citizens and leaders to sustain democracy. Drawing from historic and current events and personal experience,…

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate special education teacher candidates' ability to impact their students' learning. Candidates selected and implemented evidence-based interventions while in their clinical practice placements. A university supervisor provided online support as candidates designed and implemented the instructional project…

Investigators interviewed 54 families of children with disabilities ages seven through nine to examine the expectations that families of young children hold for their child's teacher. Responses themes were examined to determine if a pattern existed between families of different groups of children. Results reveal many families expressed true…

This qualitative study examined general education teachers' beliefs and attitudes about current mainstreaming practices. Data were collected using focus groups and individual interviews. The following research questions were the basis for the interviews and observations: 1) What are teachers' beliefs and attitudes toward mainstreaming? The…

In 1999, a committee from Arkansas Tech University's School of Education began the development of an exit portfolio for assessing and providing feedback on university programs and student interns. The use of the portfolio as an outcome-based assessment offers unique information not available through traditional testing. The developmental phase…