Teachers of Bilingual Learners and Learners With Special Needs: Current Challenges and Professional Development Needs

• In Event: Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Bilingual Education Teacher Professional Development and Practices

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study conducted by 60 students in three sections of a graduate course titled Special Learners in the Bilingual/ESL Classroom. The primary goal was to learn from practicing teachers in high-needs districts what they perceive to be the major challenges related to the identification, placement, and instruction of English language, bilingual, and bilingual special needs learners. We were also interested in learning how changes—such as mainstreaming, the use of data teams and co-teaching—resulting from the implementation of the modified RTI initiative-- had affected their roles as teachers and what topics they thought were most needed with respect to professional development designed to help them meet the changes and challenges to better serve these students.

Authors

• Anne E. Campbell, Fairfield University

• David A. Zera, Fairfield University