Opinions of In-Service and Pre-Service Special Education Teachers on the Competencies of the Undergraduate Special Education Programs

The purpose of this study was to examine the opinions of in-service and pre-service special education teachers on the undergraduate special education programs, field competencies, and their own professional competence. Participants' suggestions for improving undergraduate special education programs and in-service training programs including topics they need for their own professional development were also obtained. The study designed as a survey model included 107 special education teachers and 160 seniors in the undergraduate special education programs of 4 different universities. The data were gathered using an information form and the Special Education Teacher Program Field Competencies Scale which were developed by the researchers. Results showed that the teachers who graduated from an undergraduate special education program perceived themselves and their teaching education more sufficient than both subject matter teachers and teachers with a special education teaching certificate. Teaching academic skills, classroom management, teaching speech, and language skills and autism were the topics on which the majority of participants found themselves inadequate and requested in-service training. Extending the duration of the practicum, spreading it over the whole duration of the program, and making the courses more field-oriented were the most frequently suggested changes by the participants to be made in the undergraduate special education programs. Based on the results of the study, implications for practice were discussed.