The West Virginia State Plan for Teacher Education Programs in Special Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Presented by the West Virginia Board of Regents with assistance from state colleges and universities is a state plan for special education teacher preparation. The project objectives include a needs analysis for special education, the development of innovative plans for teacher training, the determination of alternative training programs, and the evaluation of the training. Based on the needs assessment and survey results are such recommendations as conducting additional research in all areas of special education, assigning priority to certifying and upgrading present special education teachers, establishing graduate consortium programs in mental retardation, expanding undergraduate offerings to include other disabilities, devising alternate training models such as inservice and workshop programs, and formulating standardized evaluation methods. Four appendixes, comprising more than half of the document, present the project grant application, state certification standards for special education, a survey of state special education and personnel needs, and a qualifications assessment of state special education teachers. (CL)