A Comprehensive Analysis of the Needs of Occupational Education Personnel for Professional Development in Special Education Competencies.

Overview & Synopsis

In order to determine the educational needs of vocational education educators who have responsibility for mainstreaming special education students, a survey was conducted in Massachusetts in 1979. A total of 208 questionnaires were mailed to 52 schools, for a vocational teacher, a special educator, a special education coordinator/supervisor, and a counselor. The response rate was 66 percent (138 returns). It was found that voids of services exist among the schools, especially in the areas of vocational rehabilitation and psychomotor therapy; in addition, 44 percent of the schools reported having no counselors on staff to work with special needs learners. It was also found that at least 88 percent of the schools mainstreamed special students in vocational education, while about 49 percent of the schools have self-contained vocational education programs for special needs students. Within the four subgroups of respondents, vocational teachers and special educators are much more willing than administrators and counselors to participate in an advanced degree program to acquire additional skills related to vocational/special education. However, none of the groups indicated an overwhelming desire for additional training in special education. More than half of the vocational teachers expressed an interest in additional skill development in occupational/career education. (KC)