Project in Research in Universities: Opportunities for the Preparation of Teachers of Exceptional Children. Bulletin, 1937, No. 17

The first published compilation of material relating to opportunities for the preparation of teachers of exceptional children in the United States appeared in 1929 under the auspices of the International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children. At the time 43 institutions in the United States and 2 in Canada were reported which offered courses in this field. In 1931 the Office of Education issued a bulletin on the same subject, with brief descriptions of the courses given. Seventy-one institutions were listed in this report as offering opportunities for study to prospective teachers of exceptional children. In 1936 a third investigation was undertaken as one phase of the Project in Research in Universities, and its findings are reported in this paper. The number of institutions announcing courses preparatory to the teaching of one or more types of exceptional children had by that time grown to 118. This represents an increase of 66 percent in the 5 years between 1931 and 1936--an unmistakable evidence of the mounting importance that is being attached to the special preparation of teachers for children who because of mental, physical, or emotional deviation are in serious need of special educational provision. The present analysis was made on the basis of data accumulated by means of questionnaires, with supplementary information gathered from a study of current catalogs and announcements of courses. In addition to universities, colleges, and normal schools, highly specialized institutions for the deaf, the blind, and the feeble-minded were also considered. General findings of this analysis covered: (1) Number of institutions providing specialized training; (2) Facilities for respective groups of exceptional children; (3) Geographic distribution of training facilities; (4) Content of curriculum; (5) Administrative organization; (6) Cooperative relationships; and (7) State designation of training facilities. Names and geographical distribution of institutions that do not claim to offer a comprehensive unit of teacher-preparation in the field are appended. [For related reports, see "Project in Research in Universities: Preparation for Elementary School Supervision. Bulletin, 1937, No. 18 (ED542577) and "Project in Research in Universities: CCC Camp Education: Guidance and Recreational Phases. Bulletin, 1937, No. 19" (ED542578). Best copy available has been provided.]