Last Updated: Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Summary
In 2005-2006, students with
disabilities comprised 9 percent of
the student population in the
United States, and English
language learners comprised about
10 percent. Many of these students
spend a majority of their time in
the general classroom setting in
elementary and secondary schools.
Most teachers are initially trained
through teacher preparation
programs at institutions of higher
education. GAO was asked to
examine (1) the extent to which
teacher preparation programs
require preparation for general
classroom teachers to instruct
these student subgroups; (2) the
role selected states play in
preparing general classroom
teachers to instruct these student
subgroups; and (3) funding and
other assistance provided by the
U.S. Department of Education
(Education) to help general
classroom teachers instruct these
student subgroups. To address
these issues, GAO conducted a
nationally representative survey of
teacher preparation programs and
interviewed officials from state and
local educational agencies in four
states and Education.
GAO recommends that the Secretary
of Education develop and implement
a mechanism to ensure more
systematic coordination among
program offices that oversee
assistance that can help general
classroom teachers to instruct these
student subgroups. Education agreed
that coordination is beneficial and
will explore the benefits of creating
such a mechanism.
Downloads
d095731.pdf
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