Collaboration Activities and Competencies of Secondary School Special Educators: A National Survey

Abstract

A national survey of 1000 secondary school special educators serving students with mild disabilities (i.e., learning disabilities, behavior disorders, mild mental retardation) was conducted to determine the current status of the knowledge and skills of secondary school special educators to engage in collaboration and to identify the frequency and topics of their collaborative interactions with special educators, general educators, and community service providers. Responses from 407 educators suggested that a large portion of special educators interacted frequently with general educators and other special educators, most often for the purpose of sharing information. The respondents reported interacting infrequently with community service providers. The educators perceived themselves to have an average to above average level of competence for a majority of the identified collaboration competencies. The implications of tbe findings for the development of preservice preparation and staff development programs are discussed.