#edutooter @edutooters
I think a major failing of and tension in teacher preparation programs in the US is that we expect and demand that aspiring teachers meet the need of individual students, especially those with disabilities and whose first language isn't English. Yet we as a teacher preparation community push these same students out disproportionately.
For example, about 16-17% of students in schools have a documented disability, but fewer than 5% of teachers have a documented disability.
@ndporter @edutooters
For sure, agree with this, my specific point is a different one, where I see students with disabilities not being afforded the same things that the teacher education community expects to be afforded K-12 students. My critique is specific to preparation. I am sure all of the factors contribute though.
@ZingerLearns @edutooters I don't disagree but I'm not an expert in teacher training. Where do you think the gaps are? Presumably as students, teachers in training should be eligible for disability accommodations. Is it differences in what consitutes a fair accommodation, lack of communication/assistance, specific things like student teaching, or what?
@ndporter @edutooters
Yes.
1) students need to seek accommodations on their own. If/when they get them, they are usually pretty limited in most cases (more test taking time etc)
2) There are inflexible credentialing requirements, for example in California, 600 field-based hours, and then of course there is the edTPA or other assessment that is very long and writing intensive. Extra challenges for those who are not adept at writing or organizing large tasks
3) many, if not most programs that I have encountered don't provide much additional flexibility partly based on the requirements above, and partly based on local rigidity and inflexibility
@ZingerLearns @edutooters Interesting—I am one of the 5%. I have noticed a significant attitude difference between myself when addressing my students with disabilities (a SPED teacher), and that of my classmates. I expect my students to have good lives and to support independence and self-advocacy; my classmates expect “inspiration.” #Disability #Education #DisabilityRights #SelfAdvocacy #WeAreNotYourInspiration #DisabilityIndependence #DisabilityJustice #edutooter
I think this is a critical point and a very important reason to ensure we have more teachers with disabilities in K-12 classrooms. There is a huge difference in understanding and interacting with students when there are more shared experiences, histories and backgrounds.
@ZingerLearns @edutooters probably at least 2 different processes in that difference: (1) disabled learners select out of teaching as a possible career and (2) those who don't select out feel pressure to pass and conform, so they don't document/share their disabilities. It's much riskier to out yourself to a potential employer than to a school, even if both are required in principle to treat you fairly.