The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator is an evolving eBook designed to accompany an introductory-level general special education course. This resource is crafted by and for teacher candidates pursuing licensure in General Special Education and Early Childhood Special Education in New Hampshire and the surrounding New England states.
This eBook is a collaborative platform where aspiring educators share their insights and experiences in teaching PreK-12 learners with disabilities. It delves into the multifaceted roles and responsibilities of special educators, including case management, individualized instruction, and advocacy. Through this collective effort, the book aims to equip future educators with the knowledge and skills to support and empower students with diverse learning needs.
APA reference for this eBook is:
Lombardi, P. (2020) The Roles and Responsibilities of the Special Educator, from https://pressbooks.usnh.edu/edc703-803/
Many of this book’s chapters have core content adapted from the comprehensive web pages of the Parent Information and Resources.
This Parent Information and Resources website was produced under U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs No. H328R180005. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service or enterprise mentioned on this website is intended or should be inferred. This product is public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint material from this website is not necessary, the citation should be: Center for Parent Information and Resources (retrieval date). Title of the document, Newark, NJ, Author.
In the original text the words “you” were used to speak directly to parents. The details of the material throughout the website and now this book are relevant to most education professionals working with children with disabilities and their families. The text has been modified to focus on the role of the special educator. Additional text may be added throughout the eBook by the author and collaborating educators to clarify and expand on the content and tie it to course topics and assignments.
As you read through this eBook you will see many references to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act “IDEA”. In the U.S., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a special education law that mandates regulation for students with disabilities in order to protect their rights as students and the rights of their parents. Sections of the law are coded and searchable.
Throughout the book you will see this special sybmol related to IDEA ( § ) which means “section”, These referecnces to IDEA will help you locate the precise sections in the Federal regulations that address the issue being discussed.
For example, many of IDEA’s requirements for parental participation are found in §300.300. This reference tells you that, if you wanted to read the exact words the regulations use, you would look under Section 300.300 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for Title 34 (sometimes referred to as 34 CFR). While the CFR is available in many libraries, the most current (and searchable) version of IDEA’s regulations is available online at the eCRF.
Paula Lombardi, M.Ed.- editor/author-UNH/College of Professional Studies Instructor
Collaborators
Christine Tate, M.Ed.- UNH/College of Professional Studies Instructor
Kari Grimes, J.D., M.S. Special Education, UNH/College of Professional Studies Instructor
Teacher candidates in the Dynamic Role of the Special Educator courses. You will see their contributions in the “Voices from the field” section, at the end of select chapters
Book Cover Photo Credit: Photo by Rene Böhmer on Unsplash
updated 8/12/2024
