Training for special education at WCU

By DANIELLE LYNCH

WEST CHESTER — Special education teachers have to abide by laws and regulations set at the state and federal levels.
“The way we train them (future teachers) is in terms of the law,” said Vicki McGinley, chairwoman and professor of the West Chester University Department of Early Childhood and Special Education.
Teacher certification is changing from guidelines set through the federal No Child Left Behind Act, according to McGinley. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, processes and procedures are woven into the courses, she said. For instance, the students are taught how to write an Individualized Education Plan and are taught how to implement it.
“Overall as a field, education has become more challenging,” McGinley said.
At the undergraduate level, the special education teaching students observe parent support group meetings. And at the graduate level, the students work with host mentor families in a course called field placement, McGinley said.
“WCU has paid attention to unique needs of families,” she said. “It’s a real effort to get students to listen to families and be sensitive to the needs of families.”
In addition, parents, school district administrators and lawyers come into courses as guest speakers to talk about their experiences in special education.
“We make sure our students are getting both sides,” McGinley said, adding that sometimes attorneys, for instance, will interpret the law differently. “As a special education teacher, in addition to teaching curriculum, you’re an advocate for the child.”
Families with special needs children have added levels of stress, McGinley said. Future teachers are hearing that their goal should always be to have the child at the forefront, and it can be challenging when it gets to legal matters, but it can also be worked out, she said.
McGinley has been in the special education field since 1985 and seen the laws evolve over the years. She said that in a way, the federal laws have clarified processes for teachers.
WCU has to follow standards when creating special education courses that are set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, McGinley said. In addition, WCU officials have to show evidence of how they are addressing special education issues, she said.

To contact staff writer Danielle Lynch, send an e-mail to dlynch@dailylocal.com.