Preparing Special Educators to Partner With Families: Current Practices Used in Higher Education

• In Event: 21.030 - When Preservice Teachers Learn Alongside Students, Families, and Communities

Abstract

Despite mounting research documenting the significance of Family-Professional Partnerships
(FPPs) for practice, little is known about how teachers are prepared to partner with families. This session presents a mixed method study focused on the breadth and depth of FPP content embedded into university programs within a sample of special education teacher preparation programs across the US. Specifically, 113 special education faculty across 52 institutions responded to a survey about how their preparation programs address FPPs. Follow up interviews were then conducted with selected faculty members who completed the survey. Results included two major categories (a) passive representation of knowledge and skills, and (b) active engagement in learning knowledge and skills. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Authors

• Tracy Gershwin Mueller, University of Northern Colorado

• Kathleen Kyzar, Texas Christian University

• Shana J Haines, The University of Vermont

• Grace Francis, George Mason University