An Alternative Model for Preparing Special Education Teacher Educators

Abstract

The NeedAlthough there are 85 universities in the U.S. offering a doctorate in special education, and 11 additional doctoral programs with a special education emphasis, the supply of special educators with doctoral degrees has declined during the past decade. Further, the percentage of recent doctoral graduates in special education who take and remain in higher education positions has decreased significantly leaving many universities unable to fill faculty positions with qualified personnel (Smith, Pion, Tyler, Sindelar, & Rosenberg, 2001). Several factors have contributed to this situation including competing employment demand for doctoral level special educators and the older age and immobility of doctoral candidates Smith et al., 2001).