New AACTE Research-to-Practice Video Series on Special Education Now Available
AACTE is excited to share the latest videos of its Research-to-Practice Spotlight Series on Special Education this spring. The video interviews feature faculty, students, and school district leaders who work with Portland State University (Portland, OR) and Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) to implement extensive clinical preparation for teacher candidates pursuing careers in general and special education. The link to view the video series is now available!
In my recent blog post, I shared a brief introduction to the new Research-to-Practice Spotlight Series. The videos highlight exemplary practices of the two teacher preparation programs for ensuring their candidates are ready to work with all students, including students with disabilities. Though different in many programmatic elements to address their local contexts, each university designed their programs to equip all teachers with the skills necessary to instruct the diverse needs of their student population.
The Master’s Program in Secondary Dual Education at Portland State University features dual certification in both general and special education at the secondary level. Entrants to the program come with an undergraduate degree in a content area and engage in two years of extensive and increasing involvement in clinical settings in secondary schools. Principals consider the program transformative in terms of the skills graduates bring to their classrooms.
The undergraduate Inclusive Early Childhood Education program at Bowling Green State University enrolls approximately 900 students and offers dual certification in early childhood general and special education. Teacher candidates are in increasingly demanding field placements for all four years of their program—in general education settings, special education settings, and inclusive settings. School districts scramble to hire these outstanding students, as they come with the mindset and the skill set to be effective with all students.
I have had the privilege to prescreen all of the videos and am deeply impressed by how these institutions have revamped their teacher preparation programs to meet the needs of the 21st century classrooms. The school district partnerships developed by both universities are exemplars of what other universities should strive for in preparing future teachers to be relevant and effective with all learners.
Over the next few weeks, AACTE will roll out the full video series, which will be available on AACTE’s Video Wall. Stay tuned for more information about this new edition of Research-to-Practice Spotlight Series on Special Education!
Tags: clinical preparation, content areas, diversity, equity, school-university partnerships, special education
