Casting special education teacher development as an avatar living in a virtual and changing landscape is a creative way to consider the current state of the field and project possible futures. In this commentary, the authors consider areas that may help strengthen the Avatar, including conceptualizing and identifying the outcomes of teacher…

The first article in this special issue is about the doctoral programs, the suppliers of new doctoral graduates in special education. It focuses on one component of a larger effort, the Special Education Faculty Needs Assessment (SEFNA) project, which investigated many aspects of the supply of new doctoral graduates as well as the demand for new…

In this commentary, the author provides a framework for examining the articles in this issue. The author does so by providing a focus for reading and linking our brief history to the present and the future. She provides a set of questions about engaging research that seeks to improve the ways in which we question, construct understanding, and…

In this article, the authors present a rejoinder to Drs. Boscardin, Mainzer, and Kealy's response to their article "Preparing Special Education Administrators for Inclusion in Diverse, Standards-Based Contexts: Beyond the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium" (ISLLC; Voltz & Collins, 2010).…

The purpose of this commentary is to respond to the article written by Voltz and Collins (2010) that considered the preparation of special education administrators for inclusion in diverse, standards-based contexts by highlighting the Administrator of Special Education Standards that were adopted in 2009 by the Council for Exceptional Children.…

This article introduces two articles that address the history and funding of personnel preparation for special education in general and the specific history of federal funding for general education teachers to work well with students with disabilities. It urges the incorporation of accountability in teacher education programs to justify funding.…

This introduction to an article for special education teacher faculty on understanding copyright and intellectual property notes the increasing relevance of the issue as faculty move into forms of distance and distributed education, technology-mediated instruction, or distance and blended education. (Contains 2 references.) (DB)

This article examines factors affecting the participation and achievement of students with disabilities in teacher education programs. It considers federal legislation affecting their involvement in such programs, their admission, performance of essential teaching functions, accommodation provision and accessibility, basic skills competency…

This paper promotes the increased use of literature in preservice special education programs to address beliefs and attitudes of students. Discussion points out the limitations of textbooks and the power of literature to portray character, convey knowledge, and foster experience-based learning. A table identifies teacher education needs and shows…

An introduction to a section on e-learning and effective pedagogy notes the explosive growth of instructional technology and the need for guiding principles in its application. It focuses on two areas: the instructional needs and anticipated outcomes for personnel preparation programs in special education and electronic student assessment.…

Discussion of e-learning in special education personnel preparation focuses on student assessment in e-learning environments. It includes a review of the literature, lessons learned by the authors from assessing student performance in e-learning environments, a literature perspective on electronic portfolios in monitoring student progress, and the…

Discussion of special education practica for early childhood general education majors first considers exo- and meso-system issues that either enhance or constrain the redesign of the practicum experience. It then reports findings on student outcomes of 32 students who participated in a redesigned practicum. (Contains 5 references.) (DB)

Discussion of complexities in serving economically disadvantaged culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities in inclusive settings uses cultural-historical activity theory to stress the need to consider issues in ethics, power, and privilege broadly and continually to promulgate more equitable and effective inclusive education…

This introductory article notes the special issue's purpose of highlighting ways to close gaps between research and practice in special education from the perspective of teacher preparation, inservice training, professional development, and collaborations between researchers and teachers in local schools. (DB)

This article considers reasons for the gap between research and practice in special education including the unique separation of the research and practice communities in special and general education, the limited relevance of educational research, the failure to articulate manageable research-validated interventions, and the weak opportunities for…