Author(s)

Claudia Mejia

Date Approved

6-7-2011

Embargo Period

3-3-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ed.D. Educational Leadership

Department

Educational Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Sharp, Martin

Subject(s)

Early childhood special education; Special education teachers--Training of--Graduate work

Disciplines

Other Educational Administration and Supervision

Abstract

The purposes of this action research study was to assess an urban university's graduate Early Childhood Special Education dual certification program and find ways to improve the program in order to facilitate growth and success for all of the students. The research design included both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, which were in the forms of a questionnaire and interviews. Other colleges' and universities' graduate programs in Early Childhood Special Education dual certification were also analyzed to determine if they were similar to the urban university and met the students' needs and standards. Data collected from the questionnaire and interviews showed that there was much strength, but also some weaknesses in the graduate Early Childhood Special Education dual certification program at the urban university. While many students felt they were prepared to teach in multiple settings, others did not. Some colleges and universities offered similar courses, but integrated different curriculum areas including reading, math, science, and technology within early childhood, special education, and inclusion settings.

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