Search

Traditional approaches to professional development for inclusive education narrowly frame inclusive education as a special education reform. Such approaches emphasize technical practices rather than surfacing and disrupting harmful ideologies that normalize the segregation of students with disabilities. Alternatively, there is potential for a transformative ripple effect for inclusive education when professional development prioritizes the critical inquiry, collaboration, and collective action of teacher leaders. Professional learning communities offer a model for professional development through which teacher leaders can cultivate the tools and support needed for taking action for inclusive education in their own contexts. Coaches are uniquely positioned as advocates and teacher leaders who can facilitate such professional development. This action research study explored how four inclusive education coaches: (1) worked to cultivate a professional learning community for developing inclusive teacher leaders in response to the needs of their district; and (2) reflected on the impact of this professional development to plan for their ongoing support of the district's inclusive teacher leaders. The findings highlight the importance of professional learning communities as a professional development approach for supporting the collaboration and agency for teacher leaders for inclusive education.

Despite the research regarding the importance of peer review and feedback in pre-service special education teachers, there exists a gap in teaching complex mathematical concepts such as fractional operations. This study sought to address this gap by investigating how pre-service teachers can effectively appraise and revise peer-generated teaching transcripts focusing on fraction operations and compare their feedback with those of experienced educators. The research sought to understand how this integrated approach can contribute to improving the instruction of pre-service special education teachers in the field of mathematics education. A modified version of Crespo's (2018) generating, appraising, and revising of representations was utilized to analyze the video content. Comparisons of the reviews showed that pre-service teachers may not have the content knowledge or experience to provide in-depth feedback to support learning as experienced educators. The article concludes with findings and recommendations for teacher educators who utilize anonymous peer review in teacher preparation for special educators.

Online special education courses and programs are widely available and provide pathways for both initial certification and in-service professional learning. Despite the wider availability of online special educator courses and programs due to the COVID pandemic, very limited research about special education candidates and educator preferences for online courses is available. This study included 965 special education teachers and paraprofessionals who completed an online survey of their preferences about various special education course formats and lengths. Results indicated that special educator course format and length preferences varied and that fully online courses are not uniformly the top choice. Findings also suggested that shorter online courses (e.g., 7-weeks) are best suited to knowledge-based topics, while skills-based courses benefit from longer course duration (e.g., 15-weeks). Implications for special education program delivery are discussed.

The term "professional quality of life," sometimes abbreviated as "ProQOL," refers to an individual's evaluation of the positive aspects of his or her working life. This frame may be categorized in two different ways. Compassion Fatigue (CF) is undesirable, yet Compassion Satisfaction (CS) motivates people to feel good about their job and, as a consequence, assist other people. Compassionate fulfillment is one of the most admirable qualities (CS). This study's goal is to get a thorough understanding of ProQOL in the teaching profession for kids with special needs because the great majority of prior research on ProQOL was conducted on health professionals. This quantitative study did not use any type of experimental approach, yet it included the participation of 171 students with special needs educators. The obtained data indicate that teachers of students with special needs have a generally favorable perception regarding the environment in which they work. To provide one illustration: To mention one specific example, this does not always indicate that there are low incidences of STS or burnout. The majority of students with special needs teachers (77%) were operating at a level of burnout that was classified as Medium-High, and the majority of those instructors (72%) also had an STS level that was classified as Medium-High. The study recommended using the appropriate programs that raise the teachers' professional levels to match the requirements of teaching students with special needs.

The study aimed to reveal the degree of using blended learning among teachers of students with learning disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also showed statistical differences according to the variables of gender, academic qualification, and years of experience. To achieve the objectives of the study, the descriptive survey design was used. The sample of the study consisted of (110) male and female teachers of students with learning disabilities, of whom (53) male and (57) female teachers were chosen by the stratified random method from the educational regions in the south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the second semester of the academic year 2022/2023. A questionnaire consisting of (22) items was used, distributed in three domains: planning, implementation, and evaluation, after verifying the indications of its validity and reliability. The results showed that the degree of using blended learning among teachers of students with learning disabilities in all domains and the total score was moderate. The results also showed that there are statistically significant differences in the answers of the study sample about the degree of using blended education among teachers of students with learning disabilities due to the variables of academic qualification in favor of postgraduate studies and years of experience in favor of more than ten years. However, there was no statistically significant difference due to the gender variable. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should provide training requirements for teachers with learning disabilities on blended education and include them in their teaching practices (planning, implementation, and evaluation).

The purpose of this study is to measure teachers' beliefs and perceptions about multilingual learners (MLLs), MLLs' needs and struggles, and parental involvement of MLL families. We adapted Karabenick and Noda's (2004) survey instrument, which measures the teachers' beliefs, attitudes, practices, and needs related to MLLs. Exploring teachers' beliefs, attitudes, and practices toward MLLs is a first step in understanding the professional needs of teachers of MLLs. The total sample size of the study was 308. In the first phase of the study, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to test logic and feasibility of the instrument. In the second phase, we used descriptive statistics to explain the basic features of the data of the study and provide a brief summary of the samples and the measures done on this study. The results of this study indicated that although teachers' beliefs about MLLs are slightly negative their overall beliefs are positive. Many teachers while welcoming MLLs in their classrooms, desiring to support them, are unsure of how to do so.

This paper tells the story of how one school leveraged the expertise of a family to build an equitable collaboration that transformed the educational experiences of Jake, a fifth-grade student with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Personal accounts from 3 teachers, 2 administrators, and a parent illustrate the power of leaning into relationships to gain knowledge and compassion for reaching some of our most vulnerable students. The major themes that emerge across their reflections include: the power of families and educators working together, the need for FASD training, and the need to re-evaluate the systemic structures that are in place. Their insights illustrate the importance of nurturing teachers to collaborate with families, to take pedagogical risks, and to advocate for their neurodiverse students.

The study employed a descriptive correlational approach to explore teacher perceptions and preparedness for the inclusion of hearing impaired (deaf and hard of hearing) students in mainstream classrooms in selected public special education schools in Cebu Philippines. Through stratified convenience sampling, the research compared the views of both special education teachers and regular educators (N=75) to identify gaps in skills and training needs around inclusive practices for deaf students. Inclusion aimed to provide equal opportunities for all students, but effective implementation depended on teachers' perspectives, skills, and support. The findings from a descriptive correlational analysis aimed to guide improvements in maximizing inclusive education's potential to cultivate learning and participation regardless of ability. Recent research in the Philippine context revealed that teachers view inclusion positively but faced challenges in practice. Addressing such needs through targeted support strengthens teaching quality and benefits all students. The study's results can provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders in developing effective support strategies and interventions to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students with disabilities in the Philippines.

This study employed a descriptive correlational design to investigate the collaborative role of teachers' profiles, assistive technology utilization, and their impact on teaching exceptional learners in public schools. A convenience sample of 63 teachers who had experience teaching exceptional learners in self-contained and inclusive classrooms in Mandaue City, Philippines, was surveyed to understand the relationships between teachers' profiles, assistive technology utilization, and the impact on learners with exceptionalities. The findings revealed that teacher profiles, particularly educational attainment and income, influenced the perceived effectiveness of middle-to-high technology. Teachers reported that assistive technology positively impacted learners' participation, independence, and skills. Based on these insights, a profile-aligned matrix action plan is recommended to equip special education and inclusion teachers to choose and implement appropriate technologies aligned with exceptional learners' needs. With appropriate government support, the integration of teachers' competencies, technology utilization, and learners' outcomes can be optimized to improve exceptional education through a systemic, profile-aligned approach.

This research aims to determine teachers' problems in the early stages of their careers and to offer solutions. In this context, the research is a phenomenological study of 21 teachers selected by maximum variety sampling. The study's data were obtained through semi-structured interview questions prepared by the researchers with the opinions of six experts. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the teachers who participated in the study. The content analysis method was preferred in analyzing the obtained data, and NVivo 11 software was used. The findings of the study revealed that the problems faced by teachers include the learning-teaching process, educational structure and opportunities, individual and environmental factors, and education stakeholders. The research ends with various research and application suggestions by drawing attention to some points in preventing the problems that teachers encounter in the early stages of their careers.

This study investigated the relationship between mindset and self-efficacy among special education teachers in Region 2 of Texas. While approximately 500,000 students are provided special education services in Texas public schools, special education students perform significantly lower on state assessments in reading and math than their non-disabled peers. Between 70-85% of special education students in the 3rd and 8th grades in Texas perform below their non-disabled peers on state assessments. Special education teachers must persevere to meet the demands of the special education population. The literature revealed a positive correlation between teachers' mindset, self-efficacy, and student achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of the relationship between growth mindset and overall self-efficacy, selfefficacy in student engagement, self-efficacy in instructional strategies, and self-efficacy in classroom management among special education teachers in Texas Region 2. The concept of mindset framed this study. Mindset is a coalescence of two theories, social cognition theory and self-efficacy theory. An analysis of the relationship between special education teacher mindset and self-efficacy was conducted. The bivariate Spearman Rho was used to analyze data. The results of this study revealed that there is no statistically significant correlation between mindset and overall self-efficacy, self-efficacy in student engagement, self-efficacy in instructional strategies, and self-efficacy in classroom management among special education teachers in Texas Region 2. However, this study also indicated that positive interventions, mindset changes, and teacher self-efficacy correlate with improvements in student learning because the statistical analysis results show these variables all move in the same direction. These results can assist districts, principals, regional education service centers, and other staff responsible for ensuring successful learning outcomes for special education students.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of special educators in the pivot from in-person to virtual learning during COVID-19. A national sample of 46 participants participated in the study. Individual recorded interviews were conducted with each participant by the primary researcher. Two optional focus groups were conducted by the research team. Data analysis included coding, cross coding, triangulation, and member checking as a means of understanding the essence of participant experience within the larger educational system. Study findings may be used to inform researchers and those interested in the social sciences of the challenges found within special education, the unique strengths that special educators bring to education, and how we might better support special education teachers.

The aim of this study is to determine the technology integration self-efficacy of special education teachers. Within the scope of the study, it was examined whether the technology integration self-efficacy of special education teachers varies according to gender, professional seniority, in-service training and postgraduate education variables. Two measurement tools, technology integration self-efficacy scale and personal information form, were used in the study. The study was conducted with 206 special education teachers working in public and private special education institutions in different cities in Turkey. The results show that special education teachers' technology integration self-efficacy is at a moderate level. When it was examined whether the technology integration self-efficacy of special education teachers differed according to gender and professional seniority, no significant difference was found in the self-efficacy of the participants according to these two variables. Male special education teachers and those with low professional seniority had high technology integration self-efficacy scores. Finally, in-service training and post-graduate education of teachers appear to be an important factor in their technology integration competencies. Teachers who received in-service training or postgraduate education were found to have a very high level of technology integration self-efficacy perception.

The aim of this research is to identify the needs of teachers providing science education to visually impaired students and their students and to develop various solution proposals based on these needs. The study involved 1 Science teacher, 2 Special Education teachers, and 10 visually impaired students from a state primary and middle school in the center of Erzurum province. The research design followed a qualitative approach with a case study design. The data collected were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that the needs of teachers providing science education to visually impaired students fall into two themes: needs arising from the teacher and needs influenced by external factors. Similarly, the needs of visually impaired students were categorized into two themes: needs arising from the students themselves and needs influenced by external factors. Teacher-related needs included the need for concretization and description, material design, individualized instructional selection, technological proficiency, and the ability to activate sensory organs. External factors affecting teachers' needs included the need for materials, laboratories, reference books, appropriate training, in-service training, parental cooperation, and personalized curriculum. Student-related needs encompassed education environment and methods, technology and assistive tools, family support and counseling services, physical accessibility in the school environment, alternative and augmented communication in education, and psychosocial support. External factors affecting students' needs included social interaction, academic motivation, academic achievement and exam anxiety, special education and counseling services, note-taking and organizational skills, and daily living skills.

Parental involvement, as well as parent and teacher relations, have been considered as a significant factor that affects children's schooling. Still, in order to foster inclusion, parent-teacher relations need further investigation. This study explores parent and teacher perceptions of parental involvement in the education of students with Learning Disabilities (LD) based on Epstein's (1995) parental involvement typology. Epstein's questionnaires for parents and teachers were administered to 151 mothers, 77 fathers, 232 general, and 126 special education teachers in Greece in order to investigate their perceptions of parental involvement types and practices concerning the education of children with LD. The differences among parent- and teacher-related sociodemographic characteristics were also examined. The findings reveal that the parents associate their involvement in the education of their children with LD more with Type 1-Parenting, whereas the teachers with Type 5-Decision making. Parents use more Type 4-Learning at home practices, whereas teachers employ Type 2-Communicating practices. Notwithstanding, there are a series of statistically important findings concerning parent and teacher perceptions of parental involvement and practices in the education of children with LD by sociodemographic characteristics. Results are discussed in relation to their implications in promoting more inclusive and sustainable home--school partnerships.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced educational practitioners, students (PreK-12), and families to adjust to synchronous and asynchronous online instruction. This study followed an online intervention involving a Spanish-English preschool special education teacher, a Spanish-speaking parent, and her bilingual preschool child with complex communication needs (CCN). Students with CCN frequently require an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system to compensate for severe developmental language disorders. Over a six-week period, the parent and teacher collectively introduced the preschooler to a low-technology AAC option: a picture exchange communication system in English and Spanish. Overall, the parent developed an increased understanding of her child's communicative intent and reported high levels of satisfaction with utilizing AAC to meet her child's bilingual language needs. Even though the pandemic caused many learning challenges, this single-subject study highlights the effectiveness of a parent-centered and culturally relevant instructional approach for a bilingual preschooler with CCN.

This study examined knowledge of the Arabic language in special and general education teachers, using a knowledge survey, Knowledge of Arabic Morphology and Phonology (KAMP). The KAMP was administered to 180 teachers teaching students with reading disabilities to examine their knowledge and determine whether it was influenced by differences in their specialization, teaching years, and highest educational level. The findings indicated that special and general education teachers have poor phonological and morphological knowledge. Also, there were no significant mean differences between teachers on their knowledge attributed to the differences in their specialization, teaching experiences, or highest education. The study concluded by discussing the findings and suggestions for researchers and policymakers.

The main aim of the current study is to measure the effectiveness of a training program on enhancing the teaching process and critical thinking skills among teachers of the deaf and hearing-impaired in secondary schools through multimedia and according to academic qualification and years of experience variables. To accomplish the study objective, the researchers used the quasiexperimental approach. They designed a four-hour short training program that was applied to 60 teachers of the deaf and hearing-impaired in secondary schools. The study findings revealed that 53.4% of teachers of the deaf and hearing-impaired possess multimedia skills experience in teaching critical thinking skills in the pretest, whereas 61.3% of teachers of the deaf and hearing-impaired possess multimedia skills experience in teaching critical thinking skills in the post-test. In addition, the results showed no statistically significant differences in the years of experience variable in teaching critical thinking skills. Furthermore, the results indicated that the teachers who have Master's degrees or higher had higher average scores in critical thinking skills compared to those with bachelor's degrees.

With this quantitative study we aimed to develop a scale that could be used to assess the attitudes of special education needs (SEN) teachers towards students with multiple disabilities. The scale was tested in 2 stages using 2 different samples. Firstly, the scale was administered to a convenience sample of 215 teachers. For the first study, the participants responded to 39 items related to the scale and 9 demographic questions. This sample was used to perform an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), which showed that the proposed scale had 5 factors and 22 items. A revised scale was applied to 228 participants. The sample was used to complete a confirmatory factor analysis to test the fit of the data to the theoretical structure. The scale's internal consistency was found to have a Cronbach [alpha] of 0.869. With this scale it will be possible to measure special education teachers' attitudes towards students with multiple disabilities.

This study aims at investigating the impact of visual arts activities on the socialization and stress management of individuals with special needs. This is a qualitative research study that employs "action research" and our data were collected based on the observations of teachers. Over a 20-week period, visual arts activities were carried out with 27 individuals with special needs, including six with autism, seven with Down syndrome, and 14 with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities, who received education at the third level in the "Fehmi Cerrahoglu Special Education Practice School" in Ordu province during the 2020- 2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. The study group included a counselling teacher and 19 special education teachers, who observed the activities and their effects on the socialization levels and stress management of educable individuals with special needs. The data obtained from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Most of the participating teachers agreed that visual arts activities contributed to the socialization and stress management of individuals with special needs, and the study found that these activities played an important role in the inclusion of individuals with special needs in society and led to a decrease in stress symptoms.

Individualizing instruction is a time-consuming aspect of classroom practice. Testing multiple interventions, and monitoring each to see which is most effective for a student can be prohibitively time consuming. However, Brief Experimental Analysis (BEA) is an assessment procedure that can be used to quickly identify an intervention that is likely to be successful with an individual student. BEA provides teachers with a method to efficiently collect data and predict which intervention is most likely to be successful before a significant amount of time and resources are invested. The BEA process can be used with students at a variety of grade levels for the purpose of academic and behavior intervention. This paper describes how to implement BEA in reading with students with intellectual disabilities in order to prepare them for opportunities in postsecondary education. We will also discuss how to overcome hurdles that practitioners may experience implementing the process.

Self-determination consists of essential skills for students with disabilities because it gives individuals the power to make decisions based on their own needs and desires. Self-determination includes areas such as choice-making, goal setting, and self-directed learning. Music therapy is a service that can be used to enhance self-determination for students within the educational setting. Through intentional collaboration, music therapists and special educators can bring together their expertise to promote self-determination in students with disabilities. As members of students' Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs), both professionals are working towards the common interest of fulfilling individuals' goals and needs. The authors of this manuscript outline and describe a three-step process for collaboration between music therapists and special educators to promote self-determination among students while also providing a vignette to demonstrate this practice.

Across the United States, school leaders and administrators are confronted with widespread shortages of special educators--a challenge that may feel insurmountable at times. Shortages of special educators mean open teaching positions go unfilled or are filled by personnel who may lack the preparation and certification known to lead to positive outcomes for students with disabilities. As a consequence, large numbers of students with disabilities and their families may be underserved. The purpose of this article is to present (a) an overview of the national landscape of special education teacher shortages; (b) the multiple factors contributing to shortages; and (c) potential solutions derived from research, policy, and administrators working in the field.

Preparing special education preservice teachers (PTs) to serve students with autism includes understanding theoretical foundations of teaching strategies and developing competency in applying the resulting knowledge and strategies within teaching settings. The current pilot study explored the Internet-Based Parent-implemented Communication Strategies (i-PiCS) program, targeting evidence-based teaching practices, as an alternative training method in an autism field-experience course conducted online during the COVID-19 lockdown. The purpose of the pilot study was to explore changes in PTs' knowledge, confidence, and implementation of naturalistic communication teaching strategies in a pre- and postfield-experience course. The participants were nine females enrolled in a 3rd-year special education teacher preparation program. A multimethod assessment was utilized, including self-rating questions, knowledge quizzes, video-model analysis, and videotaped teaching simulations. Quantitative data were graphically displayed and compared. Teaching simulations were analyzed qualitatively. The results showed that all PTs improved the identification of instructional steps. Self-rating of knowledge and confidence level improved as well. Five PTs improved the accuracy of evaluating the instructional steps, albeit the level of fidelity of implementation improved only mildly. We conclude that i-PiCS could be useful for training PTs in a special education program. We discuss the limitations of the current application of i-PiCS and the appropriate implementation modalities that could be further explored.

This study used mixed methods to explore how Israeli special education preschool teachers' professional identity and social support predict their job satisfaction. Participants in the quantitative portion included 192 Jewish special education preschool teachers (Mage = 34.37, SD = 8.75) with an average of 10.66 (SD = 8.40) years teaching. A separate sample of 10 teachers (Mage = 37.77, SD = 5.86; Mexperience = 7.7 years, SD = 3.98) participated in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative results revealed that professional identity related to type of preschool framework and job satisfaction, but only experience and social support significantly predicted job satisfaction. Qualitative results supported the quantitative results, emphasizing themes of satisfaction, challenges, and coping mechanisms, particularly the importance of social support. Additional support for these teachers can promote job satisfaction, facilitate retention and teacher well-being and foster better outcomes for children with special needs.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has received growing attention in recent decades. Although much is known about the benefits of integrating SEL in educational settings, knowledge about teachers' SEL learning is limited, particularly among special-education teachers from diverse backgrounds. The study's goals were: (1) to conceptualise the SEL learning of 30 in-service and preservice special-education teachers from the Bedouin community, where emotional restraint is the social norm; (2) to compare the learning patterns of teachers in different career stages. An exploratory case study was employed in a special-education school. Data collected from 20 interviews, 147 reflections and two focus groups were analysed using mixed methods (content analysis, exploratory analysis, and quantitative analysis). The findings revealed a three-phase model denoting teachers' SEL learning -- intrapersonal, interpersonal, and professional. Career stage-based differences were found. The study enhances our theoretical understanding of teachers' SEL learning, which ultimately may promote best SEL practice in special education.

As schools become more inclusive, and with existing teacher shortages, teacher dispositions play a significant role in enhancing the education of students with disabilities (SWDs) in inclusive settings. University programs play an important role in preparing pre-service special education teachers not only with the knowledge and skills needed to work with SWDs but also the dispositions to work in inclusive settings. This study explores the dispositions of teacher candidates enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program (Intervention Specialist Mild to Moderate K-12 in a Mid-Western Public Research University) towards inclusion after a semester of Special Education coursework taken during their second or third years in the Teacher Preparation Program.

Based on the Job Demands-Resources theory, this research investigated the multiple mediating role of special education teachers' social support and work engagement in the relationship between their emotional intelligence and job performance. Data of 710 Chinese mainland teachers in special education schools were analyzed. The results showed that emotional intelligence directly predicted job performance. Both social support and work engagement partially mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance. Furthermore, social support and work engagement serially mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance. The limitations and implications for future studies and practices are discussed.

This paper critically examines the centrally administered pre-service teacher preparation program for learning disabilities in India. With no equivalent Indian competency standards, this paper analyses components of the teacher preparation curriculum in the light of 22 high leverage practices (HLPs) outlined by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) as well as examines interview data from teacher educators to better understand challenges on the ground. Overall, the paper notes a heavy emphasis on theory over practice, with limited opportunities for practice. HLPs related to social-emotional and behavioral practices were minimally addressed in the curriculum. Finally, although the program was dedicated to serving children with learning disabilities, prospective teachers tended to get placed in inclusive settings and were required to work with students with a range of disabilities, highlighting the need for a program with a wider range of disabilities, not only learning disabilities. Implications for school and educational psychologists are discussed.

Globally, there are political, social, and financial obstacles to providing high quality, inclusive early childhood education to young children with disabilities and their families. Many teachers are able to identify the systemic issues that negatively impact their work; however, many early childhood special education (ECSE) teachers do not have the competence or confidence to advocate for systemic change. In the U.S., one reason for ECSE teachers not engaging in advocacy is an absence of content, practice, and opportunities to learn about advocacy in traditional teacher preparation programmes. This mixed methods study explored how an 8-week graduate level course focused on advocacy for ECSE trainees influenced their knowledge, skills, and dispositions towards advocacy. The course content, assignments, and activities are described as well as pre- and post-course evaluation data. Implications are discussed regarding the course outcomes, lessons learned, and future directions for infusing advocacy content and experiences in ECSE training programmes.

Project-based learning (PBL) in inclusive classrooms has the potential to provide meaningful and collaborative learning experiences that develop students' academic and social-emotional learning skills. This qualitative study focuses on the voices of secondary students with disabilities (SWDs) by examining their perceptions of PBL in English language arts when compared to their peers without disabilities. We analysed interviews from 36 students in five 9th-grade, inclusive English language arts classrooms. Students in both groups expressed positive views about learning in PBL classrooms. Key themes included opportunities to feel creative, to expand their ideas about the world, to increase important literacy skills, to collaborate with peers and to make choices in their learning. SWDs differed from their peers without disabilities in their desire for scaffolded learning and teachers who are responsive to their individual needs. Additionally, SWDs shared a broader range of perspectives within each theme. Implications for PBL instruction in inclusive classrooms and special education teacher knowledge are discussed.

This paper presents outcomes from a professional development programme (PDP) in India designed to support inclusion of students with disabilities. 107 practising teachers including general educators, special educators, school leaders, and counsellors, among others participated in a six-month PDP. The programme focused on equipping teachers with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices tailored towards the Indian context. The PDP consisted of 24 interactive workshops conducted over six days once a month, along with coaching to support implementation, resource packages, a professional learning community, and visits to the host's and participants' settings. Data from questionnaires and audio-visual evidence suggest that participants were able to apply a range of strategies including attention grabbers, energisers, classroom management, and reading fluency strategies to their classrooms. Participants most appreciated the hands-on strategies and contextually relevant resources that were made available at no additional cost as part of the PDP. The paper highlights the need to create and share open education resources (OERs) that all teachers can contribute to and extend the scope of PD programmes to provide follow-up support.

Families are critical to children's learning and play a vital role on their children's team. As such, preparation standards across the Division for Early Childhood, National Association for the Education of Young Children, and other key entities include family practices as part of their recommendations. This content analysis examined how states included family practices into initial licensure requirements of early childhood (ECE) and early childhood special educators (ECSE). Documents were collected electronically from state departments of education across the U.S. in 2021. This analysis determined if states required family-related practices, what was required, and what terminology and concepts were included in family-related requirements. Overall, 55% of states included family practices for ECSE while 45% of states included them for ECE. Increasing the inclusion of family practices in initial licensure requirements and building relationships across state licensing agencies and institutions of higher education may better prepare educators to partner with families.

The growing expectations and demands for teacher education highlight the need to provide future teachers with more knowledge and to prepare teachers as expert collaborators who can learn from each other. This qualitative case study based on video-recorded reflective assignments investigated how Finnish pre-service special education teachers' experiences in relational interprofessional work within institutional boundary spaces -- the so-called knotworking -- contributed to the evolution of their professional agency. The results indicate that interprofessional collaboration during teacher education was challenging and orienting themselves as students was the principal way teachers negotiate their role within boundaries.