Special Education for Today's Teachers: An Introduction

For Introduction to Special Education courses.

This exciting new text addresses the need for all people interested in the profession of teaching, whether they are traditional special education majors, traditional general education majors, or alternative certification students. Three themes are integrated throughout the text and in the accompanying technology: reflection, instructional application, and professionalism. Succinct and approachable, this text focuses on the foundations of special education by offering a broad view of educational practice in the classroom and examining the defining characteristics of students with exceptionalities, explains complex issues and content regarding special education and the profession, and each chapter focuses on master teachers in the classroom. In a realistic and applicable manner, readers will learn about the latest information involving the field today, the most valuable content regarding each disability area, research-based practices and practical strategies that they can take into the classroom, and what it means to be a teacher in today's classrooms. A foundations text that will recruit and retain students to the field of teaching special education, this text is one that will engage and impress readers and teachers alike. In step with the most recent legislation and changes in special education, this text will not only provide a solid foundation for students, but will help them to answer the question, "Are you prepared to serve and teach all students?" 

Special Education for Today's Teachers: An Introduction

Michael S. Rosenberg, David L. Westling, and James McLeskey

A BOOK WHOSE TIME HAS COME.

The challenges we face today in special education require highly-qualified, reflective practitioners who use research-based strategies in the classroom and who are excited about the success and future of our children.  If you are interested in the profession of teaching, whether in the general or special education classroom, then this is the book for you. Engaging and insightful, Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction not only provides a solid foundation for being a teacher in today’s diverse classroom, but helps you to truthfully answer the question, “Are you prepared to serve and teach all students?”

Features include:

• A strong focus on professionalism, instructional application, and reflection throughout the text and on the DVD-ROM that accompanies the text.  
• Access to Merrill’s Teacher Preparation Website (www.prenhal.com/teacherprep) included inside every new copy of the text. Connections are made throughout the text to this website.

A FOCUS ON PROFESSIONALISM

• My Profession, My Story vignettes highlight teachers, their life experiences, dispositions, and attitudes, and how all of these factors relate to daily teaching practice and the profession.
• Site Visit: Effective Practices in Action features highlight programs in which educators are engaging in effective research-based practices for the classroom.
• Chapter 16: Continuing a Special Education Career: Collaboration, Professionalism, and Professional Development.
• Addresses the CEC Knowledge and Skill Standards, CEC Code of Ethics, and PRAXIS Standards.

A FOCUS ON INSTRUCTIONAL APPLICATION

• Highly Effective Instructional Strategiesfeatures help readers to understand the steps necessary to incorporate effective strategies into their teaching.
• Can You Help Me With This Student? featurespresent a scenario or case study where a teacher is facing a difficult or challenging situation and show how this challenge could be resolved.
• Technology for Access features are integrated throughout the text.
• Chapter 5: Teaching, Learning, and Behavior Management.

A FOCUS ON REFLECTION

• Chapter 1: Teaching Students with Special Educational Needs: Finding Your Role
• Reflective Exercises margin notes engage readers through thought-provoking questions that extend the content of the narrative.
• Reflect Upon focus questions are found at the beginning of each chapter.