Distance Education Applications in Rural Special Education: Where We've Been and Where We're Going
In the last decade, distance education applications in rural special education have expanded rapidly with the growing use of telecommunications technologies. Distance education has been used in direct service programs for students with special needs in rural school systems, in preservice personnel preparation programs, and in inservice training programs for teachers working in rural areas. State educational agencies, colleges and universities, and regional and local school districts all have implemented distance education efforts to support rural special education using a variety of new technologies. Distance education will continue to offer exciting opportunities in which the needs of pupils, preservice students, and inservice teachers will be met as telecommunications technologies become more widely available and organizational constraints are eliminated.
Improving the Skills of Special Education Paraprofessionals: A Rural School District's Model for Staff Development
Despite an increase in the number of teacher aides in special education classes, there are few training programs available for these aides. Programs specific to rural school districts are noticeably limited. This article outlines a staff development program for special education teacher aides developed by a rural school district in northwest Pennsylvania. The program is designed to be continuous, and is based on best practice as well as suggestions from district staff. After the first year of implementation, the program received positive ratings, both objectively and subjectively, in all areas. The program was also implemented in the St. Marys Area School District at a cost of under $5,000.
Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan
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