Monday, October 11, 2010
A view on teacher training programs at colleges and universities.
I believe that teacher training programs need to be looked at to determine their effectiveness in preparing teachers for the demands of today's classroom and the diverse learners they will be serving. With a bigger push toward RTI, I believe that teacher training programs should take a more aligned approach when it comes to special education and general education college programs. Currently, most college programs only require a basic course in special education. 1 or 2 courses can hardly scatch the surface of what all is envolved with students with such a wide assortment of special needs. I feel that if they are going to demand special education teachers to get certified in a core content area, then they need to have general education teachers to become certified in special education or at least have them go through several courses to help them better meet the needs of their students.
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Preach on, Debi! There is currently only one SPED class education majors must take. If you are not a SPED major that's the only special education training you get. I think ALL education majors should at least take Collaboration/Consultation and Behavior Management. Issues discussed in these classes are applicable to every educational setting.
ReplyDeleteI believe that your idea of everyone being dually certified is right on the money. We need teacher prep classes that teach differentiated instruction for ALL teachers, as well as everyone being able to teach reading. The philosophy that everyone is a reading teacher is so true. There is whole curriculum by Louisa Moats, entitled Learning Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. This would be an absolutely great program for teacher prep classes.
ReplyDeleteWe have got to diversify and dig deeper in our teacher prep classes. Every class seems that we just touch on a little of everything, but not a whole lot of depth.
Also, I know that we have the fast track in many teacher prep programs and paths to alternative licensure, but I am uncertain on well those teachers are actually prepared for the classroom. With the shortage of SPED teachers, I understand the immediate need for teachers, but at what sacrifice?