INTRODUCTION
Dr. Mary A. Falvey is a Professor of Special Education, with an expertise in Moderate to Severe Disabilities and Inclusive Education in the Division of Special Education and Counseling. She joined the faculty of the Charter College of Education in 1980. From 2004-2005 Dr. Falvey served as the Director of the Office for Student Services in the Charter College of Education and from 2005 – 2012 served as the Dean of the Charter College of Education at CSULA.
TEACHING INTERESTS
Dr. Falvey teaches courses in collaboration between special and general education, methods for effectively teaching students with moderate to severe disabilities, assessment and instruction for teaching students with and without disabilities in inclusive settings, and research in the Special Education for the credential, masters, and doctoral degree programs.
RESEARCH
Dr. Falvey's research interests include effective strategies for teaching students with moderate to severe dishabilles, inclusive education for students with and without disabilities, and the provision of effective communication skills, strategies, and supports for students with significant communication disabilities.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Dingle, M., Falvey, M.A., Givner, C., Haager, D. (2004). Essential special and general education teacher competencies. Issues in Teacher Education, 13 (1), 35 – 50.
Cardinal, D. & Falvey, M. A. (2014). The maturing of facilitated communication: A means toward independent communication. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabiities, 39. 189-194.
Eshilian, L., Falvey, M. A., Bove, C., Hibbard, M. J., Laiblin, J., & Miller, C. (2000). Restructuring to create a high school community of learners. In R. Villa & J. Thousand (Eds.). Restructuring for caring and effective education. Baltimore, MD: Paul H., Brookes Publishing Co.
Falvey, M. (2004). Believe in my child with special needs. Baltimore, MD. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Falvey, M.A., Tan, J., Terry-Gage, S. (2014). Mental Retardation. In In M. G. Brodwin, F. W. Siu, J. Howard, E. R. Brodwin, & A. T. Du (Eds.). (2014). Medical, psychosocial, and vocational aspects of disability (4th ed., pp. 169-180). Athens, GA: Elliott and Fitzpatrick
Falvey, M.A. (2015). The importance of teaching communication skills. In J. Downing Teaching communication skills. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Falvey, M.A. (2004). Toward realizing the influence of “toward realization of the least restrictive educational environments for severely handicapped students”. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities , 29 (1). 9 – 10.
Falvey, M. A., Blair, M., Dingle, M. & Franklin, N.(2000). Creating a community of learners with varied needs. In R. Villa & J. Thousand (Eds.). Restructuring for caring and effective education. Baltimore, MD: Paul H., Brookes Publishing Co.
Falvey, M. A., Forest, M., Pearpoint, J., & Rosenberg, R. L. (2002). Building connections. In J. S. Thousand, R. A. Villa & A. I. Nevin (Eds.) Creativity & Collaborative Learning: The Practical Guide to Empowering Students, Teachers, and Families (2nd Ed.). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company.
Falvey, M. A., Eshilian, L., & Rosenberg, R. L. (2001). Secondary school restructuring. In P. Wehman (Ed.) Life beyond the classroom: Transition strategies for young people with disabilities. (pp. 127 - 143). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Villa, R. A., Falvey, M., & Schrag, J. A. (2003). System change in Los Angeles, the city of angels. In D. Fisher and N. Frey (Eds.) Inclusive Urban Schools. (pp.245-261) Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company.
Selected Professional Presentations (delivered over 300 presentation throughout the world, some samples are listed below).
Including Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities in General Education. Presentation to the Inclusion Works Conference, ARC Texas. San Marcos, TX. February, 2015.
Including Students with Significant Challengees in General Education. Presentation to the Partners in Policymaking, Minnesota Governors’ Council on Developmental Disabilities. Minneapolis, MN, October, 2014.
Including Students with Signficant Disabilities in General Education. Pressentation to the Cal-TASH summer institute. Santa Barbara, CA. July, 2012.
Including Students with Signficaant Challenges in General Education. Keynote Addess to the Edmonton Community Living Conference. Edmonton, Alberta. Nov, 2011.
Celebrating Children with Disabilities. Invited Keynote Address for the Inclusive Education Conference. Denver, CO. January, 2006.
History of Inclusive Education. Invited Keynote Address for the TASH International Conference. Milwaukee, WI. November, 2005.
Celebrating Children and Adults Abilities. Invited Keynote Address for the East Los Angeles Regional Center parents conference. Alhambra, CA. September, 2005.
Celebrating Children and Adults Abilities. Invited Keynote Address for the National Down Syndrome Conference. Anaheim, CA. July, 2005
Curricular Modifications for Inclusive Education. Invited session for the CSUSM Summer Institute on Inclusive Education. July, 2005
Curricular Modifications and Adaptations for Students with Severe Disabilities in Inclusive Settings. Invited week long workshop for the New Mexico Department of Education. Albuquerque, NM. June, 2005.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
1980, Ph.D. Special Committee Doctoral Degree in Personnel Preparation in Severe Disabilities, University of Wisconsin – Madison.
1976, M.A. Special Education in Severe Disabilities, San Francisco State University
1972, B.A. Liberal Studies, Sacramento State University