Essential Standards for Preparing Secondary Content Teachers to Effectively Teach Students with Mild Disabilities in Included Settings

Secondary content teachers are more likely than ever before to be asked to provide instruction for students with disabilities in their classrooms. Despite years of recommendations for curricular reform, general education teachers continue to report feeling ill-prepared to teach students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential for preparing secondary content teachers to effectively teach students with mild disabilities. A national sample of experienced special education teachers working in secondary schools rated a modified version of the Council for Exceptional Children Special Education Teacher Preparation Standards on their importance in general education teacher preparation. Thirty-one "essential" standards were identified and are recommended for inclusion in secondary teacher curricula.