Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2015

Abstract

The Technology Accentuated Teacher Education for Rural Specialists (TATERS) program aimed to: (a) prepare highly qualified special education teachers across a state comprised of more than 70% rural districts, (b) develop a system of support through a mentor network and institutions of higher education collaboration to address the needs of teacher candidates in rural areas, (c) ground special education teachers in the use of evidence-based practices to improve the instructional services that students with disabilities in Idaho receive, and (d) develop a mechanism to evaluate and provide feedback on teacher candidates' implementation of evidence-based practices. This article describes the application of a special education teacher evaluation system to a teacher preparation program designed to improve special education teachers' ability to implement evidence-based practices for students with disabilities in rural areas. Key program components are described and future directions for continuous improvement are highlighted.

Copyright Statement

Permission to reprint has been granted by the American Council on Rural Special Education.

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