A Preservice Perspective on Quality Training in Special Education.

A PRESERVICE PERSPECTIVE ON QUALITY TRAINING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION Given the general reduction in both the quantity and quality candidates entering special education training programs the integrity of such .programs needs to be enhanced. This paper describes the efforts of one teacher training program to train superior special education teachers. Student support services which help high risk candidates succeed in ademanding program are outlined. Program elements and evaluation criteria which provide students with the skills be competent professionals.are presented. A particular focus is on program components which prepare graduates for the stressful reali= ties facing special educators in the 1980's. A PRESERVICE PERSPECTIVE ON QUALITY TRAINING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION , Teacher preparation in special education is facing unique challenges in coming years. We are faced with a diminishing pool of candidates for teacher education programs. -This'is resulting in reductions in both the A quality' and quantity of students entering training programs; At the same: _ time; trpe groWing responsibilities of special educators including assessment, consultation, placement team decision making and parent counseling, in addition to teaching more diverse and severely handicapped students, requires an extremely competent and well trained professional. Special education teacher educators must deal directly with the issue of quality teacher training. The simplistic solutions we read almost daily in the newspapers must not be ignored but must be countered with data based alternatives; Let me begin with some issues of philosophy: