Work-based learning experiences (WBLEs) are an important part of vocational programming for students with extensive support needs (ESN); however, the development and implementation of these experiences can present challenges for special education teachers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the challenges that special education…

This study investigated teachers' perceptions of barriers to planning and organizing work-based learning experiences (WBLEs) for students with intellectual disability. Participants were high school special education teachers who had at least one student with an intellectual disability age 14 or older on their caseload (N = 256). Teachers were…

The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to understand the beliefs of parents and school personnel about involving secondary-age students with extensive support needs in their specialized health care procedures at school. Participants included parents, special education teachers, school nurses, one-to-one nurses, and paraprofessionals…

Teachers of high school students with severe disabilities are charged with making decisions about educational programming that prepares students for life post-school. This includes decisions about using community-based instruction (CBI) to teach skills that students will need to participate in the community. This qualitative study investigated the…

This qualitative study examined the beliefs and experiences of special education teachers about inclusive education for secondary age students with severe disabilities and co-existing complex health care needs. Participants were 11 middle and high school special education teachers who collectively case managed 18 students. Data were collected via…

This study investigated the relation between grade level, support needs, and use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and the participation of secondary age students with intellectual disability in school-sponsored extracurricular activities. Participants were special education teachers with at least one student with an intellectual…

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' beliefs about the participation of students with severe disabilities (SD) in school clubs. Participants were special education teachers (N = 60) of middle and junior high school students with SD from one state. Data were collected using a survey. Results indicate that teachers value including…

This case study examined one high school student's access to inclusive education and experiences in an inclusive English class after he acquired severe disabilities and complex health care needs from a nontraumatic brain injury. Multiple sources of data (i.e., interviews, field notes, and documents) were collected and analyzed to formulate…

The purpose of this study was to determine preservice teachers' beliefs about the curriculum content and skills that should be available and taught during high school, and the contextual variables (experiences, locations, individuals) that promote access to the high school curriculum. Participants included 79 secondary and 21 special education…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the influences on special education teachers' decisions about literacy for their students with severe disabilities. With the use of multiple case study and grounded theory methodologies, four middle and high school special education teachers were purposefully selected to participate in…

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of service-learning (SL) by special education faculty at 4-year colleges and universities across the United States, and to determine faculty attitudes and beliefs about the application of SL in special education. Participants included faculty with experience in SL teaching and/or research in…

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perspectives on the appropriate skills and settings for literacy instruction, the factors influencing their decisions about literacy instruction, and the barriers to literacy instruction in general education classrooms. A sample of special education teachers (n = 69) of students taking the…

This study investigated special education teachers' perceptions of the benefits, barriers, and components of community-based vocational instruction (CBVI). Participants included special education teachers (N = 68) from randomly selected high schools in Illinois who had experience delivering vocational curriculum to students with disabilities. Data…

In this study, the authors determine the efficacy of videoconferencing to supervise pre-service special education teachers. Efficacy is determined by (a) assessing interobserver reliability between on-site and off-site observers and (b) evaluating the feasibility and practicality of the videoconferencing technology. Data are collected in two…

Case study methodology was used in combination with a participatory action research (PAR) approach to examine the process of redesigning one high school science course to incorporate the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and to promote access to the general curriculum. The participants included one general education teacher and two…