PROPOSED SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

ABSTRACT: The study was conducted to evaluate the current status of Special Education programs in theprovince of Zambales, Philippines and the relevance of the curriculum of Teacher Education Program at Pres.Ramon Magsaysay State University. To date, no evaluation of the implementation has been conducted todetermine if program objectives are being met. This also aims to provide support and feedback toadministrators, teachers, learners and other stake holders. Likewise, this would help in identifying anddocumenting program strengths and weaknesses as basis for program development/enhancement. The studymade used of descriptive developmental method of research with questionnaire and unstructured interview asthe main instrument to gather data from 19 Administrators and 26 SPED teacher-respondents. Findingsobtained in the study revealed that the profile of the SPED Centers in terms of management staff are schooladministrators who are occupying a Principal 3 position, 10.4 years in the service, MA graduate, major inElementary Education but have inadequate training in Special Education. The teacher respondents areoccupying a Teacher 3 position, 6.5 years in service with MA units, major in Elementary Education. Training isinadequate for the SPED positions. The categories of LSEN catered mostly are Learning Disability, AutismSpectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. The areas of concern of the SPED Centers are administrative,professional, curricular and instructional concerns.The existing curriculum program for Teacher EducationProgram does not address the needs of special education teachers and school administrators in the province ofZambales.

Keywords: LSEN, Administrators, SPED Teachers, Curriculum Enhancement, Special Education Program