A Review of Current Special Education Research in Agricultural Education
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
2010
Department
Agriculture & Tourism
Abstract
This review sought to identify and summarize the results of agricultural education research related to teachers’ perceptions about working with students with special needs. All manuscripts in the Journal of Agricultural Education and available American Association for Agricultural Education research proceedings since the passage of No Child Left Behind legislation (2001) were hand searched and coded. Eighteen studies were identified that met criteria for inclusion in the study. Findings from included studies, consisting of descriptive data and data on selfreported perceptions, were compiled and presented. In the results, studies were arranged in five categories according to the data collected on the perceptions of preservice and practicing teachers toward teaching with students with special needs: (1) preparation and challenges; (2) teacher efficacy; (3) attitudes, knowledge, and skills; (4) competence, success, and confidence; and (5) curriculum, instruction, and strategies. Additionally, conclusions and implications were developed from past research efforts concerning student success and teacher preparation. Finally, recommendations for future research were developed, including observation of positive student outcomes, experimental study of effective teaching practices, investigation of effective methods for preparing teachers, and qualitative study to develop theory within the field.
First Page
135
Last Page
150
Publication Title
Proceedings from the Annual Research Conference of the North Central American Association for Agricultural Education, Manhattan, KS
Publisher
The American Association for Agricultural Education
Recommended Citation
Killingsworth, J., Ball, A., & Thomas, C. (2010). A review of current special education research in agricultural education. Proceedings from the Annual Research Conference of the North Central American Association for Agricultural Education, Manhattan, KS, 135-150. Paper available at http://aaaeonline.org/
Comments
At the time of publication, Dr. Justin Killingsworth was affiliated with the University of Missouri.