Description:

The purpose of this committee is to focus on issues related to preparing personnel to actively promote the full inclusion and active participation of persons with severe disabilities in all aspects of life. Consistent with the mission of TASH, this committee is concerned with human dignity, civil rights, education, and independence for all individuals with disabilities. The work of this committee includes, but is not limited to the preparation of teachers and paraprofessionals who will be responsible for supporting the education of persons with severe disabilities.

Current Hot Topics in the area of Personnel Preparation:

• Federal funding does not support the types of research most often used to examine issues concerning people with severe disabilities. 
• Demands of accreditation agencies that do not support the philosophy of inclusive education
• High stakes testing mandated by NCLB that does not support inclusive schooling or appropriately evaluate students who have severe disabilities
• Certification requirements for teachers

Accomplishments over past two years: 

• Continued revision of resolutions on teacher education, paraeducator employment, and teacher quality
• Members have received federal grant monies to prepare teachers to provide inclusive schooling for students with low incidence disabilities, including the development of an electronic materials repository

Get Involved!

The Personnel Preparation Committee is always looking for members to join the discussion.  Join us as we help TASH to achieve its mission of equity, opportunity, and inclusive for all people by volunteering for one of the activities planned for 2008:

• Work closely with the newly formed student section of TASH to assist as they begin their work. Encourage members of the committee to co-present with student members at the 2008 conference.
• Raise awareness of the issues around funding that doesn't support research in the area of low-incidence disabilities. 
• Review resolutions on teacher quality, paraeducator employment, and teacher education.

Other Committees: 
International Issues Committee
Communication Issues Committee
Multicultural Issues Committee
Positive Behavior Supports Committee