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International Initiatives: Collaboration, Publications, & Conferences

Collaboration:

Dr Shaila Rao collaborated with Spain and Mexico on a cross-cultural project to assess pre-service general education teachers' beliefs and attitudes towards teaching children with different disabilities in general education classrooms. One university from Spain and four universities from Mexico participated in this joint study lead by Dr. Rao. This project was based on Dr. Rao's original study conducted in Singapore in 1999.The collaboration that started in 2006 is now in its third year.

As a follow-up, faculty from the participating universities above also carried out a comparative analysis of teacher education programs in 2007 to help explain results of the original study carried out in 2006. Results of both phases were presented in Lima/Peru in July 2007 and in Paris/France in July 2008.

Dr. Rao is currently leading another project collaborating with a faculty from Spain to learn more about the nature of inclusion and contributing factors in schools. This project will study teaming process in schools that contributes to successful embracing of diversity in schools. Dr. Rao will be the U.S. collaborator in yet another initiative lead by a faculty from Spain. This project will also investigate nature of inclusive practices in schools and focuses on how diversity is viewed by educators in schools..

2008

Rao, S. (2008). Lifelong learners with special needs: Paving the path by preparing self-determined individuals. In Lobanov & Skvortsov Eds. Vol. 6. Lifelong learning: Continuous education for sustainable development (pp. 269-272). Saint Petersburg, Russia: Alter Ego, 2008.

2006

Rao S. (2006).  Role of UNESCO in promotion and implementation of pedagogical techniques for continuous professional education to promote inclusion. In Lobanov & Skvortsov Eds. Lifelong education: Continuous education for sustainable development (pp 211-216). Saint Petersburg, Russia: Publishing House, Petropolis.

2005

Rao, S. (2005). Equity pedagogy: Educating exceptional learners with diverse abilities in inclusive setting. In Kashmanova, T. Eds. Pedagogy for Democratic Citizenship (73-103). Ukraine: University of Liv Press.

2001

Rao, S., Lim, L., & Nam, S. S. (2001). Beliefs and attitudes of pre-service teachers towards teaching children with disabilities. In J. Tan, S. Gopinathan, & W.K. Ho Eds. Challenges facing the Singapore education system today (189-206). Prentice Hall, Pearson Education Asia Pte. Ltd.: Singapore.

In press:

Rao, S. (In Press). Cross categorical approach to service delivery: Promoting successful inclusion through teacher preparation. International Journal of Whole Schooling.

2008

Rao, S., Soffer R., Cardona, C., & DeLapena, A. (2008, July). Towards attaining a color of perfection: A cross-cultural, international comparative analysis of teacher preparation. Submitted to Paris International Conference on Education, Economy, and Society,  Paris, 17-19 July, 2008 (Refereed).

2007

Rao, S., Soffer, R,  Cardona, C, & DeLapena, A. (2007. July) Preparing general education teachers for inclusion: A cross-cultural study. International Special Education Forum, Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES) and Centro Ann Sullivan de Peru (CASP),   Lima , Peru, July 8-12, 2007 (Refereed).

2006

Rao, S. (2006, June), Cross Categorical Approach to Service Delivery: Promoting Successful Inclusion Through Teacher Preparation. International Special education Conference (ISEC, 2006). Hong Kong, June 1-3, 2006 (Refereed).

The conference was hosted by The Center for Advancement in Special Education, University of Hong Kong. The presentation was well received and an official from Education and Manpower Bureau, Hong Kong, has requested permission to use the presentation in their professional development of teachers.

2005

Rao, S., & Fancher, D. (2005, August). Transition and Inclusion in Higher Education: Practices to Prevent Disabilities from Becoming a Handicap. Inclusive & Supportive Education Congress,  An International Special Education Conference, ISEC, Glasgow, Scotland, Aug 1-4. (refereed).

International Conference on Inclusion, IISEC 2005, Inclusion: Celebrating Diversity, August 1-4, 2005, by Inclusive and Supportive Education Congress.

Based on a study with freshmen batch of students with disabilities (2004-2005 cohort) at Western Michigan University. Goal was to study first year experience of students with disabilities at Western Michigan University, relationship between nature of transition services they received and their retention.

2005

Lim, L, Ramasamy, R, Rao, S, & Koh, R. (2005, May/June). Transition from School \to Adult Life for youth with Disabilities: Implications for Curriculum and Pedagogy. International Conference on Redesigning Pedagogy: Research, Policy, Practice, Singapore, May 30-June 1, 2005. (refereed)International Conference on Education Redesigning Pegagogy: Research, Policy, Practice May30 - June 1 2005, by Center for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, Nanyang Technological University,Singapore.

A collaborative effort between faculty from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, faculty from Florida Atalntic University, United States and Dr Shaila Rao from Western Michigan University. Goal was to study post school outcomes of Singapore youth with disabilities who graduated from special schools in Singapore. Results presented were based on quantitaive and qualitative data collected through face-to-face interview responses.

Dr. Shaila Rao

3408 Sangren Hall | Phone: 269-387-2470 | Fax: 269-387-5703 | shaila.rao@wmich.edu