Abstract
With changes in educational reform and a greater push toward inclusion, educators are increasingly required to provide support and educate students with disabilities in an inclusive general education setting. This requires that general education teachers have knowledge of special education laws and of inclusive practices, and collaborate with special education teachers to achieve an inclusive general education setting that supports student with and without disabilities. Research literature indicates that general education teachers view lack of knowledge of special education laws and practices, lack of knowledge and support of inclusive practices, and lack of how to collaborate effectively to be the most influential barriers to their use of successful inclusive practices. The research recommends that general education teachers receive professional development on special education laws and practices, common philosophies needed for inclusive education to be successful, and collaborative practices in order to increase educators’ knowledge and abilities to support students in a general education setting. The purpose of this project was to create a professional development series for school staff members at one elementary school in the greater Sacramento area, which would increase their understanding of inclusive and collaborative practices. This professional development included providing knowledge on the use of inclusive practices, the use of collaboration practices, and the use of interventions and accommodations, as well as providing a broader understanding of special education laws and practice. The conclusions reached after presenting the professional development series are that the general education staff needs more professional development opportunities, and continued support and time to address the need for knowledge and skills in the areas of collaboration and inclusion. Furthermore, additional research is needed to add to the literature base to determine the long term effectiveness of using professional development to mediate lack of knowledge of special education laws, and inclusive and collaborative practices.