Affiliations: [a] Teaching Research, Western Oregon University, Eugene, OR, USA | [b] Kansas State Department of Education's Neurologic Disabilities Support Project, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA | [c] Iowa Department of Education and The Iowa University Center for Excellence on Disabilities, Iowa City, IA, USA | Lash and Associates Publishing/Training, Inc., Wake Forest, NC, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Ann Glang, Ph.D., Teaching Research – Eugene, 99 West 10th Avenue, Suite 370, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. Tel.: +1 541 346 0594; Fax: +1 541 346 0599; E-mail: anng@oregon.uoregon.edu
Abstract: Since 1991, when Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) was established as a disability category under IDEA, educators nationwide have become increasingly aware of the unique and complex challenges these students present. Yet professionals, advocates and family members share a growing concern that the instructional needs of these students are not being met. School personnel serving these students need systematic support that includes both information about specific aspects of the student's disability and access to expert technical assistance. The goal of the TBI Team model, as developed and implemented in Iowa, Kansas, and Oregon, is to make available to schools statewide a group of well-trained peer consultants who can provide in-service training and ongoing consultation. The TBI Team model has four components: (a) needs assessment, (b) team recruitment, (c) team training, and (d) evaluation of both implementation and outcomes. Trained Team members provide in-service training, classroom consultation, and information and resources for school staff and parents. Team operations are maintained and supported through a central office at the Department of Education. Evaluation data suggest that the Team model is a cost effective and efficient approach to supporting teachers who work with students with TBI.
Keywords: traumatic brain injury, pediatric TBI, students, training methods, teacher training, personnel training, staff development
