Students with Special Educational Needs in Local Schools: Implications for Teacher Education and Development. Summary of the Proceedings of a Joint Conference of the Board of Teacher Registration and the Advisory Council for Special Education Needs (Carseldine, Queensland, Australia, October 18-19, 1991).

Overview & Synopsis

This booklet summarizes results of a conference in Queensland (Australia) concerning the implications for teacher education of integrating students with special educational needs into local schools. The conference arose from two earlier reports of the Advisory Council for Special Educational Needs. Key principles were identified and prioritized. These included: children should be valued and supported in a variety of flexible settings; ongoing professional development should be focused on school improvement and problem solving; and an adequately resourced team approach should involve parents, teachers, therapists, and other community members. The small group discussions and presentations resulted in 19 recommendations in the following areas: (1) principles of preservice and inservice education; (2) course development; (3) course content; (4) the practicum; (5) course length; (6) continuing professional development; and (7) professional development of paraprofessionals and nonteaching professionals. An appendix lists members of the conference planning committee. (DB)