Inservice Teacher Preparation for Teaching Students with Disabilities

What is it about?

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to examine three elementary music teacher’s perceptions of preparedness to work with students with disabilities. Research questions included: How do elementary general music teachers define preparedness for working with students with disabilities? What challenges do elementary general music teachers face in their work with students with disabilities? What resources do general music teachers identify as helpful? Based on major themes that emerged from the analysis, I concluded general music teachers need more preservice preparation and ongoing professional development focused on students with disabilities, more time to collaborate with special education professionals, more consistent communications and recommendations regarding how to work with students who have disabilities, and access to assistive technologies.

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Why is it important?

It is important to understand the needs of music educators in regard to teaching music to students with disabilities. An examination of the perceptions of inservice music educators teaching students with disabilities may offer insight into preparing preservice music educators to work with students with disabilities.