MEANINGFUL PROFESSIONAL-DEVELOPMENT IN ACCOMMODATING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO DESCRIBE LESSONS LEARNED FROM A SERIES OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS WITH INSERVICE TEACHERS (ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL) DESIGNED TO PROMOTE IMPROVEMENT OF PRACTICES FOR INSTRUCTING STUDENTS WITH HIGH-INCIDENCE DISABILITIES IN GENERAL EDUCATION SETTINGS. INITIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS (N = 4) FOCUSED ON EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES FOR EFFECTIVE FORMATS AND CONTENT. SUBSEQUENT PROGRAMS (N = 3) BUILT ON LESSONS LEARNED AND DEVELOPED AN INTENSIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOL-BASED RESEARCHERS IN ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM SETTINGS. PROS AND CONS OF EACH PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED AS WELL AS FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR RESEARCH.