Which statement best describes Elizabeth Farrell and early special education teachers?

Which statement best describes Elizabeth Farrell and early special education teachers?

• A. They received extensive formal training and taught large classes.
• B. They did not receive formal training and taught small classes of about 12-20 with an interactive approach.
• C. They relied primarily on lectures and worksheets for large groups.
• D. They focused on one-on-one tutoring with many teachers.

Answer: (B)

Historically, Elizabeth Farrell and the earliest special education teachers operated before the field was fully professionalized. They often did not have formal training in special education, and they worked in small, intimate classrooms—roughly 12 to 20 students—where instruction was active and interactive rather than lecture-based. This approach allowed teachers to observe each child’s needs closely and tailor activities to individual strengths, using concrete, hands-on methods. Over time, the profession moved toward more formal training and different classroom structures, but Farrell’s era is best described by small, interactive classes led by teachers who were practitioners rather than formally credentialed specialists.

Historically, Elizabeth Farrell and the earliest special education teachers operated before the field was fully professionalized. They often did not have formal training in special education, and they worked in small, intimate classrooms—roughly 12 to 20 students—where instruction was active and interactive rather than lecture-based. This approach allowed teachers to observe each child’s needs closely and tailor activities to individual strengths, using concrete, hands-on methods. Over time, the profession moved toward more formal training and different classroom structures, but Farrell’s era is best described by small, interactive classes led by teachers who were practitioners rather than formally credentialed specialists.