Assistive Technology Training at the Pre-Service Level: A National Snapshot of Teacher Preparation Programs
By Judge, Sharon; Simms, Kathryn A.; Teacher Education and Special Education, Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 33-44Publication Date: February 2009
Article reports findings from a national study of special-education teacher preparation programs regarding the practice of assistive-technology (AT) course delivery for the preparation of special educators. For the report, a sample of 162 special-education teacher preparation programs across the U.S. was culled from the National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education, an online database on college and university programs that offer programs in special education. Document analysis indicated that AT training at the pre-service level may not be adequately addressed. Approximately one third of undergraduate special-teacher licensure programs, 28 percent of initial post-baccalaureate licensure programs, and less than 25 percent of master’s-degree programs require AT coursework. In addition, licensure in severe and moderate disabilities requires an AT course more frequently than other types of certification programs. Based on these findings, the authors recommend that, to meet the needs of all future special educators, the development of AT competencies should assume a more central role throughout all of special-education teacher preparation programs.
Published by: Allen Press, Inc. (Website:http://www.allenpress.com)
Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) (Web Site: http://www.tedcec.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J56361
