Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the efforts of university faculty who have worked collaboratively with preservice teachers, mentor teachers, administrators, and students to transform special education teacher preparation. All of the authors in the book have been recipients of the United States Department of Education's 325T Personnel Development grant or have worked with those recipients through their own federally funded center to support and improve personnel development. The purpose of the 325T program is to redesign and restructure high-incidence teacher preparation programs so graduates will meet the Highly Qualified Teacher special education requirements and be prepared to teach students with high-incidence disabilities. The book addresses a theme that can present unique challenges to any redesign of a teacher education program, the importance of true collaboration between special education and general education professionals.