Project RETOOL: Continuing Education for Teacher Educators in Special Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Five model projects for providing continuing education opportunities to teacher educators in special education are presented. Background for the development of Project RETOOL includes a 10 step outline of the process. Implementation was designed in three phases: needs assessment of current special education teacher educators, development of various models by institutions of higher education and state education agencies, and implementation of the models for providing inservice to target personnel on a state wide level. A list of the advisory committee and the faculty interview instrument are appended. The five state models (California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, and North Carolina) are provided in the following sections. Each section explains the components of its plan, including history, planning and implementation of conferences etc., delivery and content of programs, and conclusions, observations, and recommendations. Among appendixes for the sections are assessment instruments, committee reports, workshop evaluation instruments, and forms. A brief followup report concludes that surveyed participants found the various programs to be highly effective in meeting the education needs of inservice teacher educators. (PHR)