Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
Tue Mar 25, 2014, 05:04 PM Mar 2014

Teach For America To Bolster Special Education Training

* Just what they need.

By Shaun Heasley

March 25, 2014 Text Size A A

A program that places recent college graduates in teaching positions across the country after just weeks of training says it will beef up its focus on special education.

Teach for America said it will “strengthen” training that its participants receive on “ability-based mindsets and inclusive practices.”

snip* Due to shortages in the field, advocates say that special education is more reliant on alternative training programs than many other teaching specialities.

However, critics have voiced concerns about a lack of transparency in the level of expertise that Teach for America’s teachers have. Under current federal policy, rookie educators can often be dubbed “highly qualified” even as they work to complete their teaching certification.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/03/25/teach-america-sped-training/19225/

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

Demeter

(85,373 posts)
1. SURE they are
Tue Mar 25, 2014, 05:06 PM
Mar 2014

I wouldn't trust these amateurs (no, they aren't even in it for the love of teaching...call them scab labor or tyros) with neurotypical kids, let alone anyone not just like them...

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
3. I taught SPED for about 30 years - public and private- and, kids, it ain't that easy.
Tue Mar 25, 2014, 05:18 PM
Mar 2014

It also takes a long time ( i.e. longer than two or three years; longer than the life of your TFA contract) before you really understand what you're doing. ( Maybe a little less time for you guys cause... you know... you're real *smart*.)

But at least YOU FOUND OUT ABOUT US! At long last! You figured out that handicapped children actually exist and ( and this is what impresses me) they are actually taught in public schools these days.

Now for the hard part.

Welcome aboard.


 

Demeter

(85,373 posts)
4. I've been teaching one kid for 30 years
Tue Mar 25, 2014, 05:19 PM
Mar 2014

and I'll be doing it til I die and her sister takes over....

Squinch

(52,770 posts)
7. I have seen two Teach for America teachers
Tue Mar 25, 2014, 07:51 PM
Mar 2014

who were assigned to special ed classes. Both were completely lost, the kids lost a year of much-needed learning, and both left teaching after a year.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
8. The risks we already know, correct? Yet here we are full speed ahead.
Tue Mar 25, 2014, 07:53 PM
Mar 2014

No one can give those children back the year they lost.

Squinch

(52,770 posts)
9. And they need that year more than anyone. It is cruel to both the kids and the teachers.
Tue Mar 25, 2014, 07:56 PM
Mar 2014

And I do have to say, these teachers were well meaning, but they knew that they were incompetent with these kids. They were pretty devastated themselves by what they were costing the kids.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
10. The kids lose big time and the teachers yes, they are not equipped to begin with so no surprise
Tue Mar 25, 2014, 08:07 PM
Mar 2014

some leave education altogether.

One would hope upon exiting they would find a public medium in which they share their
experiences..even if it is only to the local newspapers in the districts they were working.

Open letter to the school board...something.

Response to Jefferson23 (Original post)

LuckyLib

(6,892 posts)
12. TFA "teachers" leave classrooms in record numbers after 1-2 years. That's regular grade-level or
Thu May 8, 2014, 09:50 PM
May 2014

subject matter classrooms. Wait until they face the additional challenges of children with developmental, social, behavioral, and other needs, and find they are woefully unprepared. Exit left. Guaranteed.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Education»Teach For America To Bols...