Summary:
The article emphasizes greatly the importance of hiring highly qualified teachers that are able to understand the knowledge behind the laws that pertain to children of special needs, the referral process, as well as an individualized education plan (IEP) development. According to the article, the purpose of this project was to create a manual that could be used as part of a comprehensive induction program, since mentoring and induction programs have been shown to decrease the rate of special education teacher attrition. "What Every Special Education Staff Should Know: A Resource Manual for Beginning Special Education Teachers and Other Personnel Serving Students with Disabilities" addresses the special education referral and eligibility process, eligibility categories, continuum of services, IEP development, typical special education terminology; and basic review of statistical measures which are key components of student success.
Reflection:
Special Education teachers are known to be those that fill in the gaps in our classroom. I’ve noticed in recent weeks that the Special Education department at the school I teach is overwhelmed because they are overworked. I’ve noticed that after speaking to them that the issue was not that they are not performing well because they do not know the job, but because they are stressed and overworked. With only two special education teachers to aid an entire high school, with students of about 500 students, I would say that is very exhausting. Like mentioned in the article, it is true that many teachers may not be as qualified but this is not because they do not know how to do the job, like new teachers, they needs administration to be able to pay for mentors. I think that is very important because there is an obvious gap. When I do not know who to run to to refer someone to the resource center, you know there is a shortage.
Reference: http://search.proquest.com/docview/1355756890
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