| This study addresses the preparedness of principals in ensuring the success of special education programs. Current research and literature confirm that principals play a critical role in the success of special education programs, teacher retention in special education, and legal compliance of special education programs. How well prepared a principal is to make accurate and effective decisions regarding the education of all students depends to a great degree on the quality of his or her pre-professional preparation and experiences. Principals from ten suburban, urban, and rural school districts in central Indiana were surveyed in regards to their education, preparation, and pre-professional experience with special education. Survey responses were analyzed, coded, and categorized to determine their relationship to each other and to the research questions being asked. A second analysis and coding of the collected responses was done to add details and descriptors to the category information. The categories and questions were then analyzed in relationship to the questions and used to explain the results of the study. |
