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This article describes rural and remote teacher training in low incidence (LI) disabilities through an alternative teaching pathway (ATP) and the efforts of one university's ATP program to address the ongoing critical special education teacher shortage in rural and remote school districts. The impact of the federal investment in recruiting/training teacher candidates in LI disabilities in rural and remote areas is described, and critical features of a distance education ATP programs in LI are discussed. Lessons learned over two decades of distance ATP delivery in LI are shared.

Despite the rapid and ongoing increase in the use and availability of computers and technology in and outside of public school classrooms, there is relatively little literature that has examined preservice special education teachers' perceptions of their own computer use and self-efficacy with new technologies or how these perceptions may impact their educational and professional practice. This study used a Computer Use and Self-Efficacy (CUSE) survey to examine current rural and special education teacher candidates' computer use, their perceptions of computer self-efficacy, and the impact on performance in a teacher preparation program for teachers working with students with low-incidence disabilities. Data indicate a difference in perceptions of self-efficacy for rural and urban teacher candidates. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Despite the rapid and ongoing increase in the use and availability of computers and technology in and outside of public school classrooms, there is relatively little literature that has examined pre-service special education teachers' perceptions of their own computer use and self-efficacy with new technologies or how these perceptions may impact their educational and professional practice. This study used a Computer Use and Self-Efficacy (CUSE) survey to examine current rural and special education teacher candidates' computer use, their perceptions of computer self-efficacy, and the impact on performance in a teacher preparation program for teachers working with students with low-incidence disabilities. Data indicate a difference in perceptions of self-efficacy for rural and urban teacher candidates. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research indicates that there is a significant and chronic shortage of highly-qualified special education teachers nationally. Although the shortages of highly-qualified teachers are pervasive across all disability categories they are particularly significant in the area of severe disabilities. This is especially true in rural and remote areas. The general conclusion of researchers is that the most effective way to address the chronic shortage of special education teachers in rural and remote communities is to identify, recruit, train, and support individuals from the local area. However, this necessitates the development and delivery of comprehensive distance education programs. This article describes the evolution of the distance education programs in the Department of Special Education at the University and the current program in place to help alleviate the critical special education teaching shortage in rural and remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]