Special and General Education Teachers' Beliefs About Writing and Writing Instruction

• In Event: Serving All Our Students: Inclusive Education

Abstract

Seventy-six general education and 67 special education teachers in the same 66 elementary schools were surveyed about their beliefs about writing. Each teacher taught writing to one or more fourth grade students receiving special education services. General education teachers believed they were better prepared to teach writing than special education teachers, and they were more positive about their efforts learning to teach writing. General education teachers held more positive attitudes about teaching writing and their capabilities as a writer than special educators. General educators were more likely than special educators to believe writing developed through effort and process, and less likely to think that writing knowledge came from experts. Beliefs about adequacy of preparation predicted teachers’ their beliefs about writing.

Authors

• Steve Graham, Arizona State University
  Presenting Author

• Alyson Alexander Collins, Texas State University
  Presenting Author

• Stephen Ciullo, Texas State University
  Presenting Author