Special Education Certification Research Articles

Results of a Competency-Based Approach to Prepare General Educators to Effectively Include Students with Disabilities

Research has shown that general educators may lack the competencies to effectively include students with disabilities, thus widening the gaps in outcomes between students with disabilities and their peers. In this study, we outline the development and implementation of a competency-based continuing education program, designed to equip general educators to effectively include students with disabilities (SWDs) and earn special education certification. This paper presents the results of a program evaluation conducted using both validated measures and author-developed instruments. Participants included general education teachers, instructional coaches, and those in similar roles. Results indicated that participants significantly increased their knowledge of professional standards, demonstrated knowledge in high-leverage practices, and showed high levels of self-efficacy to implement inclusive practices. We discuss these results, emphasizing the timeliness of this nontraditional approach and its implications for teacher preparation, research, and policy amid the troubling national special education teacher shortage. Namely, this approach epitomizes a model that allows leaders to strategically utilize their existing workforce to address vacancies in special education and emphasizes that the responsibility to support SWDs rests squarely upon all educators.

Co-teaching in Teacher Preparation: Programmatic Priorities, Promising Practices, and Potential Pitfalls

Co-teaching is recognized as a best practice that is increasingly being utilized to meet the needs of diverse learners in the classroom. All teachers need to be prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners, including students with disabilities. However, few teacher preparation programs lead to dual certification in general and special education, and even fewer include the use of co-teaching in teacher preparation programs. Like in P-12 education, organizational systems and collegial dynamics can pose barriers to implementing the use of co-teaching in higher education. This article addresses the benefits and challenges of co-teaching in a teacher preparation program. Specifically included is a discussion about how engaging in the co-teaching process can be valuable to pre-service teachers and faculty members, as well as barriers to consider when navigating institutional procedures and policies. University faculty share their experiences proposing, developing, and implementing co-taught courses in an undergraduate dual certification (elementary and special education) inclusive education program. Strategies that can be used to address known barriers and successfully implement co-taught courses in a teacher preparation program are provided.

Factors associated with teachers’ perceived knowledge regarding serving secondary students with disabilities

ABSTRACT Secondary students with disabilities (SWDs) require evidence-based practices that promote their academic success. However, secondary teachers may feel unprepared to support secondary SWDs, which may reduce their likelihood of implementing evidence-based practices. Therefore, the authors investigated the influence of several preservice and in-service support factors on general and special education teachers’ perceived knowledge of evidence-based methods and where to access information on effective methods for serving secondary SWDs in the United States. Their secondary analysis revealed that multiple factors are associated with higher levels of perceived knowledge, such as participation in teacher preparation programs with an adequate focus on SWDs, regardless of teacher type. However, other factors, such as special education certification, were not related to teachers’ perceived knowledge. Given the influence of perceived knowledge on teacher implementation, these findings have important implications for researchers, teacher educators, and school and district administrators.

Leveraging the Paraeducator-to-Teacher Pipeline to Attract and Prepare Special Education Teachers

The well-documented special education teacher shortage in the U.S. has significant negative consequences for students with disabilities who require specially designed instruction from special education teachers. To address this shortage, special education teacher preparation programs should explore innovative approaches to recruiting and training future special education teachers. One such approach is the paraeducator-to-teacher (PTT) pipeline in which paraeducators complete preservice coursework and on-the-job training to earn their special education certification. In this article, we present two PTT pipelines that exist within one special education teacher preparation program. First, we review the literature on PTT pipelines and their efficacy in building the field. Next, we provide an overview of the special education teacher preparation program of interest and its state context, followed by descriptions of the program’s two PTT pipelines. We then discuss the levers that support implementation of each PTT pipeline. Finally, we present considerations for special education teacher preparation programs to ensure PTT pipelines expand the special education teaching workforce with well-prepared, high-quality special education teachers equipped to support students with disabilities.

Regions with the highest rates of teacher certification and students' cognitive milestones with learning disabilities or emotional/behavioral issues

The teacher's special education certification (SPEC) degree is a barometer for their competence in study, practice, and policy. This research compared the test scores of elementary and middle school children with learning disabilities and emotional and behavioural disorders taught by Special Education Teachers (SET) to those of students who General Education Teachers (GET) led in the same subject areas. The type of certification for teachers has little impact on most student groupings. In Learning Disabilities (LD) and regular education, students with LD and more extraordinary intellectual ability performed better in English language arts (ELA) with a trained teacher. Students with Emotional Behavioural Disorders (EBD) who were less proficient in mathematics were less likely to be helped by SET compared to General Education (GE) and Licensed Special Education Teachers (LSET). These words' actual meanings are examined concerning SET quality measures. The outcomes reported here should be understood under several constraints. Operational datasets, like the one utilized in this study, rarely contain data on crucial factors that affect an exceptional education-certified or dual-certified teacher's capacity for effectiveness.

Authoritative Teaching Across Student Populations: The Conflicting Effects of Education and Experience on Elementary Teachers

Elementary-school teachers (N=246) completed a survey to assess the factors that influence teachers’ preferences regarding response, control, and demand, three interactional-style components inherent in “authoritative teaching.” Participants were randomly assigned to answer concerning one of three populations: general-education students, special-education (SPED) students, or English language learners (ELLs). Interactional-style preferences did not differ across student populations and were not associated with teachers’ age or ethnicity. Four factors were associated with significantly higher control scores (gender, educational attainment, certification in SPED, and certification in English as a second language). Teaching experience with all three populations was associated with significantly lower control scores. Teachers take little account of student population in their beliefs about interacting with students, but these beliefs are subject to conflicting forces as their careers proceed, especially concerning classroom management. Targeted professional-development initiatives have potential to help teachers optimize how they interact with students in the classroom.

Pre-service Teachers' Perspectives on Transition to Kindergarten Practices for Autistic Children.

Autistic children present with unique challenges that may be associated with challenges during the kindergarten transition process. While teachers endorse transition to kindergarten practices as important, implementation of effective transition practices is inconsistent. One possible reason is limited training during pre-service education; however, research about this is scarce. This study examined pre-service teachers’ knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and transitions to kindergarten. Findings indicate a lack of knowledge regarding both autism and transition, as well as significant differences in knowledge of autism, wherein those seeking special education certification reported higher levels of knowledge. These results highlight training opportunities for preparing pre-service teachers to better serve young autistic children.

Elementary preservice teacher preparation to teach mathematics and science in an integrated STEM framework

A mixed-methods research design with a sequential, explanatory approach was used to investigate the extent to which successful completion of integrated mathematics and science methods of instruction courses related to elementary preservice teachers’ attitudes toward and confidence in teaching integrated STEM lessons. Participants (n = 24) were enrolled in their final two semesters of a teacher preparation program at a four-year public university leading to dual certification in elementary (K-6) and special education. Quantitative data were collected using the STEM Attitudes Questionnaire and the STEM Confidence Questionnaire and administered as a pre, post, and delayed post measure. Qualitative data were obtained from focus group participants and open-ended questions added to the delayed post-measures. Results indicated an overall positive change in attitudes and confidence over the 11-month period but no statistically significant difference in the participants’ attitudes toward or confidence in teaching integrated STEM lessons. Important implications for the numerous stakeholders of STEM education are presented.

Dual Certification in Special and Elementary Education and Associated Benefits for Students With Disabilities and Their Teachers

Researchers and policymakers use certification as a metric of teaching quality in subject areas as well as subfields of education. We examined the association between having a teacher with dual certification in elementary and special education and math and reading achievement for students with disabilities (SWDs). We also examined whether dual certification related to teachers’ efficacy and job satisfaction. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Kindergarten Class of 2010–2011, we employed ordinary least square regression models supplemented with school and child fixed effects to examine differences for children with disabilities based on certification type of their teachers in kindergarten, first, and second grades. After controlling for confounding variation at the school and child levels, we find that SWDs with teachers with dual certification score better in math. Results also suggest that teachers with dual certification exhibit more positive dispositions related to teaching SWDs.

How Preservice Teachers Begin to Develop Equitable Visions for Teaching Multilingual Learners

ABSTRACT Given the growing numbers of multilingual learners in public school classrooms and persistent nationwide shortages of ESL-endorsed teachers, it is essential that preservice teachers (PSTs) are prepared to teach multilingual learners in equitable, effective ways. Visioning can help with this, but before developing visions that include being teachers of multilingual learners, PSTs must first develop metacognitive awareness of their beliefs about multilingualism and multilingual learners in the classroom. Using historically situated social practice and translanguaging pedagogy as framing, this study surveyed final-year PSTs pursuing elementary education or special education certification on four dimensions of beliefs about multilingualism: embracing the interconnected nature of language with culture and identity, valuing multilingualism, understanding language demand in content classrooms, and feeling responsible for language teaching. Results revealed contradictory beliefs about multilingual learners that were influenced by PSTs’ backgrounds and experiences, including whether they were pursuing an ESL endorsement and their second language proficiency. We call on teacher preparation programs to re-examine their curriculum in order to better prepare all PSTs to work with multilingual learners. Teacher educators can begin this work by helping PSTs become metacognitive about their beliefs as an essential first step to developing equitable visions for teaching multilingual learners.

School Administrators’ Perceptions of Critical Teacher Skills

Forty school administrators in the Lower Hudson Valley of New York State were surveyed about the characteristics of preservice and novice teachers believed most critical. These administrators represented a broad and socio-demographically diverse cross-section of rural, suburban and urban school districts. The administrators collectively rated establishing rapport with students and behavior management as the most critical skills for preservice and new teachers to possess. Examining roles separately, assistant principals valued rapport with students and creating effective lessons as most important, whereas principals rated effectively communicating with parents and guardians, and reflecting on teaching performance as being most important. The most frequently cited reason for not hiring or reappointing a candidate was lack of engagement with students. An ability to collaborate with colleagues as well as competence in working with students with disabilities and ELLS represent skills administrators also valued in teacher candidates. Furthermore, administrators identified authentic classroom experiences prior to student teaching as invaluable preparation for the classroom and a “difference-maker” in the quality and effectiveness of preservice teacher candidates. Finally, administrators noted areas of current and future job demand; need and growth areas for teachers were reported to be STEM and STEAM, Special Education, Bilingual/Language Education, and Dual Certification.

Special teachers and the use of co-teaching in Swedish-speaking schools in Finland

ABSTRACT Co-teaching has been highlighted as a possible response to classroom diversity. This study investigated the use of co-teaching by general education teachers and special teachers in Swedish-speaking schools in Finland. The data consisted of special teachers’ (N = 126) responses to a questionnaire. On average, the respondents co-taught for 13% of the time. However, nearly a fifth of respondents did not use co-teaching at all, while sixth of them used it for 30–50% of the time. Most of the respondents co-taught for less than 30% of the time. Co-teaching was more common during Swedish and mathematics lessons than during lessons for other subjects. A significantly higher number of respondents used co-teaching during Swedish lessons in primary schools than in lower secondary schools. Parallel teaching was found to be the most common method of co-teaching. Although the results indicated that co-teaching was more common among respondents who had recently received their special education certification, this difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, no significant differences were found among respondents who worked in different regions, at different school levels or in schools of different sizes. The possible reasons for the differences between the respondents with regard to their time spent co-teaching are discussed.

The association between teaching students with disabilities and teacher turnover.

More students with disabilities (SWDs) are being educated in general education classrooms than ever before, resulting in higher expectations for the abilities of general education teachers to meet SWDs’ educational needs. Yet few recent, quantitative studies have examined if teaching SWDs influences general education certified or special education certified teachers’ decisions to leave their school. We fit multilevel logistic regression models to a large state administrative dataset in order to examine (a) if the percentage of SWDs a teacher instructs was associated with turnover, (b) if this association varied by student disability, and (c) how these associations were moderated by special education certification. The percentage of SWDs in teachers’ classes was associated with an increase in the odds of turnover after controlling for teacher, classroom, and school characteristics. This association was moderated by special education certification such that there was not an association between the percentage of SWDs in these teachers’ classes and their odds of turnover. Teaching students with emotional/behavioral disorders was associated with a large increase in the odds of turnover for all categories of teachers. Results suggest the need for more training and supports for teachers with SWDs in their classrooms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

Competing Risks Analysis of Dropout and Educational Attainment for Students with Disabilities

We employ individual-level panel data on students with disabilities in Florida to determine the relationship between high school teacher quality and the likelihood a student drops out as well as the type of diploma they receive if they do finish high school. Our data include five cohorts of 9 th graders from 1998/99-2002/03 and link students to individual teachers for each class the students are enrolled in at every grade level. We use both a competing risks proportional hazard Cox model and a propensity score matching method to estimate the effect of teachers. We find some evidence of significant negative correlations between teacher experience and the likelihood of dropping out of high school and between drop out probabilities and teachers with advanced degrees. The competing risks analysis shows that special education certification for teachers of special education courses leads to both a higher hazard of obtaining a special education diploma and a lower hazard of obtaining a standard high school diploma. The estimated average treatment effect on the treated indicates that exposure to a high quality teacher during high school leads to a lower likelihood of dropout and a higher probability of graduating with a diploma.

Verbal Aggression Among Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Teacher Perceptions of Harm, Levels of Concern, and Relationship With Certification Status

Students who exhibit emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) typically have high frequencies of disruptive and noncompliant behavior including physical and verbal aggression (VA). Physical aggression attracts great concern from school professionals yet VA is often overlooked, despite being a highly pervasive and harmful social act. We surveyed 279 first to 12th grade teachers of students with EBD to assess their perceptions about the harmfulness of VA, students’ intent to harm, their concern about the frequency and/or intensity of VA, and concern about types of verbally aggressive messages. We investigated if these perceptions differed when teachers considered students with EBD compared with typical peers and if special education certification related to responsiveness to VA. The majority of teachers reported that VA was either somewhat or very harmful and perceived students with EBD to be just kidding around and not intending to hurt others when perpetrating VA. Compared with noncertified colleagues, certified teachers reported more concern about VA, more intent to harm when students with EBD exhibit VA, and they were more likely than their noncertified counterparts to report the use of a structured intervention/curriculum to reduce VA. We discuss implications for special education teacher preparation and offer suggestions for further research.

Teacher Certification Area and the Academic Outcomes of Students With Learning Disabilities or Emotional/Behavioral Disorders

Special education certification is used as an indicator of teaching quality in research, practice, and policy. This study examined whether elementary and middle school students with learning disabilities (LD) or emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD) scored better on state math and English language arts (ELA) assessments in years when they were taught by a teacher certified in special education or dual-certified in special education and another area compared to years when they were taught by general education–certified teachers. For most student groups, academic achievement appeared unrelated to teacher certification type. Students with LD and higher academic skills appeared to benefit from having a dual-certified teacher over a general education–certified teacher in ELA. Lower achieving students with EBD scored worse in math when they were taught by special education–certified teachers instead of general education–certified or dual-certified teachers. Implications for indicators of teaching quality in special education are discussed.

Endorsement by Exam: Policy and Practice in Rural Special Education

National- and state-level education policies are evolving to address teacher shortages that are pervasive across the United States and are particularly problematic in rural special education. In this article, we describe a policy we call “endorsement by exam” in which teachers certified in one subject area can become certified in other areas by passing a content knowledge test. Although such add-on endorsements are not uncommon in some content areas (e.g., chemistry teachers adding certification in biology), some states have extended this practice to include special education certification. The purpose of this article is to explore what state agencies have adopted endorsement by exam for special education. Despite difficulties in obtaining reliable information, we determined approximately eight states have adopted some form of this policy. We discuss results in terms of rurality and conclude by explaining our position that endorsement by exam is a potentially harmful quick fix that may in fact exacerbate teacher shortages in the long term and thus is ill advised.

Exploring Factors toward Pursuing a Career in Special Education

This study explored factors influencing an individual’s decision to pursue a career in special education.  Twenty-one graduate students in the Southeast who were enrolled in a master’s degree program in special education participated in a survey.  The survey consisted of nine questions that allowed the participants to provide information about (a) their background, (b) factors which contributed towards pursuing a career in special education, and (c) recommendations for university teacher preparation programs to effectively recruit more special education teachers.  The results were summarized quantitatively.  The majority of the participants were pursing special education certification as a second career.  Although their backgrounds varied, they all reported having prior experiences with individuals with disabilities which influenced their decision.  In addition, the most frequently stated recommendation for university teacher preparation programs to recruit special educators was to provide more exposure and experiences with individuals with disabilities.  Overall, the results highlighted the importance of experiences with individuals with disabilities in influencing one’s decision to pursue a career in special education. Â

A Comparison of Teacher Quality in Math for Late Elementary and Middle School Students With and Without Disabilities

Students with disabilities (SWDs) perform below their peers in math on national and state assessments. The quality of teachers who provide these students with math instruction is an unexamined variable that could influence this low achievement. We used data from more than 1 million students to compare the quality of teachers assigned to teach math to fourth- through eighth-grade SWDs and students without disabilities, using multiple indicators of teacher quality. Overall, SWDs had access to teachers of similar quality as their peers, but grouping all disabilities masked heterogeneity. Students with learning disabilities were only 2 to 8 percentage points more likely than their peers to have teachers with special education certification. Based on our findings, the low math achievement of SWDs is unlikely to be the result of limited access to the same teacher quality as their peers without disabilities.

Access to Qualified Special Educators Across Elementary Neighborhood and Exclusionary Schools

In this study, we investigate the distribution of qualified special educators across elementary neighborhood schools and exclusionary public and private special education schools. Using the 2011–2012 Schools and Staffing Survey, we provide a descriptive analysis of measurable teacher qualifications (e.g., years of experience, preparation type, degree, formal preparation, certification) across the three settings of interest. Findings indicate that each type of school relies heavily on special educators who lack qualifications in special education. Furthermore, special educators in neighborhood schools were statistically significantly more qualified in terms of experience, degrees, and special education certification than special educators in public and private exclusionary special education schools. These findings have important implications for policy makers, school leaders, and researchers.