Creating and Sustaining Collaborative Professional Development in Special Education

Abstract

Shortages in personnel qualified to address the academic, behavioral, and mental health needs of people with disabilities are well documented. The limited interdisciplinary training professionals in special education and related disciplines receive greatly exacerbates the challenges faced by exceptional populations, particularly in regions that have historically struggled to provide sufficient access to special education services. This chapter describes the Interdisciplinary Training Project in Special Education and School Psychology (SP2), a federally funded, interdisciplinary program that combines elements of the School Psychology, Special Education, and Applied Behavior Analysis programs at the University of Iowa. Specific sections describe the national and state-level context supporting the development of SP2, identify the components designed to promote interdisciplinary knowledge and competence, and delineate challenges associated with creating and maintaining interdisciplinary programs.