Junior High Schools; *Mental Retardation; Opinions; *Special EdLcation Teachers; Teacher Attitudes; *Teacher Characteristics

This study assessed the characteristics of 134 teachers of the mentally retarded in Taiwan, and surveyed 321 teachers of the retarded concerning desirable teacher characteristics and competencies. Four main conclusions were drawn: (1) outstanding teachers of the retarded were highly rated for such characteristics as "flexibility of instructional methods, " "physical stamina," "accepting minimal progress by students, " "self confidence, " and "willingness to assume responsibility"; (2) all 74 items on the "Competency Inventory for Teachers of the Mentally Retarded " were considered necessary with "understanding the development of retarded students " identified as the most important teacher competency; (3) opinions of junior high teachers were similar to those of elementary t3achers on ranking of competencies; and (4) no significant differences were found in rated competency needs between junior high and elementary school teachers of the retarded. Includes 13 references. (DB) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original dccument