Bilingual Multicultural Special Education An Integrated Personnel Preparation Program

Abstract

Addressing the needs of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who have disabilities has become a growing area of concern, especially as the demographic composition of the nation's public schools continues to change. The challenge to provide appropriate educational opportunities for studsnts from diverse backgrounds is most directly addressed through personnel preparation programs. These programs need to be developed according to competencies that are specific to bilingual multicultural special education. In this article, the authors present guidelines for the development and implementation of a graduate program in bilingual multicultural special education. The program at New Mexico State University is described as a model.