Current Issues and Trends in special Education: Research, Technology, and Teacher Preparation -- Copyright page -- Contents -- List of contributors -- Preface -- Part I: Research in Education -- Chapter 1. Quantitative research in ducation: Impact on evidence-based instruction -- Quantitative research -- Evidence-based practice -- Responsible Practice in the Absence of Complete Knowledge -- Notes -- References -- Chapter 2. Qualitative research in education: Other methods of seeking knowledge -- Choosing qualitative research -- Types of qualitative research -- Collecting data in qualitative research -- Analyzing data in qualitative research -- Obtaining confirmability in qualitative research -- Writing the report in qualitative research -- Hearing the voices in qualitative research -- Conclusion -- References -- Part II: Language, Communication, and Education -- Chapter 3. Bilingualism and education: Educating at-risk learners -- The schooling of at-risk learners -- Diversity of English language learners in the United States -- What bilingualism entails -- Types of bilingualism and bilingual acquisition -- Connecting bilingualism to both bilingual education and bilingual special education -- Why attending to developments in bilingualism and bilingual education matters -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 4. Mastering English to Enhance Education -- Extent of the problem -- Benefits of mastering English -- Government support/political resistance to mastering English -- Educational intervention leads to mastery of English -- Measuring English mastery with standardized tests -- Conclusion -- References -- Part III: Technology and students with disabilities -- Chapter 5. Using assistive technology to support the instructional process of students with disabilities -- AT consideration in the instructional process -- Understanding the student.

Understanding the environment, activities, and tasks -- Understanding activities -- Understanding tasks -- Discrepancy analysis -- Selecting AT tools to provide compensation -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 6. Technology and students with disabilities: Does it solve all the problems -- Technology: The great equalizer -- Unfulfilled promises...unrealistic expectations -- Technology's potential -- The future... -- Conclusion -- References -- Part IV: Multicultural Education -- Chapter 7. Multicultural education: A necessary tool for general and special education -- Multiculturalism: Origin and nature of the school problem -- Multicultural education: Teachers' perceptions -- Multiculturalism: In rehabilitation counseling, next step in special education -- Double whammy theory -- Triple threat theory -- Implications for using multicultural education in diverse general and special education classrooms -- Multicultural education: A necessary tool for all students -- Weaving the fabric together -- References -- Chapter 8. Multicultural education: Not a general and special education panacea -- The heart of the matter -- Mismeasuring multicultural education -- Beyond the multicultural rhetoric: The need for risk-takers -- Conclusion -- References -- Part V: Transition -- Chapter 9. Transition planning, preparation, and implementation: collaboration and consultation at work -- Overview -- Historical framing of transition -- Early models of transition -- Essential elements of transition per IDEA -- Best and promising practices in transition -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 10. Transition: Why it does not work -- Transitioning from school to adult life -- Historical overview of federal transition services legislation -- Transition planning -- Significance of self-determination and self-advocacy -- Postschool outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Conclusion -- References -- Part VI: How Prepared are teachers? -- Chapter 11. Increasing professionalism through teacher preparation -- The role of standards -- Research-based evidence for the efficacy of teacher preparation -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 12. Teaching Is Not a Profession: How General and Special Education Teacher Education Have Failed -- Factors that influence the quality of teacher education programs -- How to improve the teaching profession -- Conclusion -- References.