Policy, Preparation, and Perception: Do New Teachers Feel Ready to Educate Students With Learning Disabilities?

• In Event: Teachers in Areas of Critical Shortage

Abstract

While the goal of edTPA is to provide timely information to teacher education’s primary stakeholders—candidates developing professional identities and practices; teacher preparation programs devising curriculum; and districts seeking high-quality teachers ready to practice—there has been very little research on best practices of implementation and use in teacher education programs. This study aims to close that knowledge gap by gather information about how a variety of stakeholders (teacher educators, teacher supervisors, teacher candidates) view preparation activities in regards to working with students with learning disabilities. Research design and implications have been created with explicit attention to how information about current views and potential best practices can further California’s new TPEs goals.

Authors

• Michael A. Gottfried, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Ethan L Hutt, University of Maryland - College Park

• Jon Jacob Kirksey, University of California - Santa Barbara