Eastern
CEC/Department of Special Education
Results - Superintendents/Directors of Special Education
Superintendents and Directors of Special Education were asked to respond to fifteen (15) separate items assessing the skills of beginning special education teachers who completed their initial teacher preparation program in the Department of Special Education at Eastern Michigan University. Data from these items are displayed in Table 4 which appears as an insert immediately following this page.
Overall, area administrators appear to be satisfied with the outcomes of the initial professional preparation programs. The consensus appears to be that the initial preparation programs in the Department of Special Education at Eastern Michigan University adequately prepare graduates as beginning-level special education teachers. However, the number of administrators participating in this survey is extremely small and therefore the data should be interpreted with caution.
Next Steps - Application of Survey Results
Based on the initial analysis of the survey data, the following steps are recommended:
Review the results of the surveys with the Department's Field-Based Advisory Committee and the Department's Curriculum and Instruction Committee, seeking recommendations regarding possible curriculum revisions.
Develop a follow-up survey to be sent to all program graduates receiving the original survey. This survey should seek further assistance in building a stronger preparation program in the area of pedagogy and methodology. Items addressing community agency information and experiences should also be included in the follow-up survey in an effort to determine other ways to strengthen the initial preparation program.
Select a larger sample of Superintendents and Directors of Special Education and distribute the administrative survey again, seeking a greater response rate than was achieved through the original survey. Analyze the results of the second survey in terms of recommendations for program revision and enhancement.