A Conceptual Framework for Vocational Special Needs Teacher Competence.

Overview & Synopsis

More relevant content for vocational special needs teacher education programs was identified through a review of the literature on teacher competencies in vocational special needs education. These competencies were then fitted into a multidimensional framework that included three dimensions of competence--task, human, and environmental. Following the narrative section, an example is provided from a current project in the vocational special needs field in order to highlight ways the framework might apply to teacher education. A brief description of the project, entitled "A Competency-Based, Field-Based Master's Program for Vocational Special Education," is followed by the constraints associated with delivering a field-based, competency-based master's degree program. Finally, alignment of program content with the framework is discussed. One table and two figures are appended. (YLB)