Mr. Richard Evans

Lecturer, Special Education
School of Education
University of Texas, Permian Basin

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Urban Special Education Teacher Retention and Effectiveness

This study desires to discover suggestions for increasing retention and effectiveness of bilingual special education teachers that work with students of color (culturally diverse) in urban school settings. This study will examine the quality of special education teacher training and preparation on teacher retention. Researchers will survey current urban special education teachers that work with culturally diverse students across a small portion of Texas. The survey will question current teachers on their current adeptness based on CEC/NCATE standards and their probability of staying in special education. Teachers will be surveyed regarding their employment status, past and present preparation, areas where training is needed, and future teaching plans.

The project will include developing an on-line survey to collect data which includes demographic information, the need and use of CEC/NCATE standards on their job performance, their level of preparation in each of the standards and open-ended questions regarding any training they have received, suggested areas of additional training, and what keeps them in special education or is causing them to consider leaving special education. Data will be used for future program development at the university level and for potential staff development programs for urban schools. This study will also serve as a pilot for future studies.