Long-term English Learners (LTELs) are the largest population of English learners (ELs) in secondary grades. In California, approximately 30 percent of these students are dual- identified, meaning they are identified as having a disability and being an EL, with a historical overrepresentation in the learning disability (LD) category. Despite the…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of students with dis/ability labels who are in special day classes (SDC). Using a narrative case study, five participants from an urban high school in California were selected to be interviewed for the study. Additionally, a class assignment of education journey maps was…

Video modeling (VM) has demonstrated efficacy in teaching a variety of skills (e.g., social skills, communication, vocational tasks) to learners with autism spectrum disorder. Previous research indicates teachers and learners have supported the use of VM. However, the majority of studies have focused on elementary-school students; less research…

This study explores the intersectionality in the educational experiences of Korean American students with autism as they navigate the transition from high school to college. For these students, dis/ability status alone does not shape the pathway to adulthood: dis/ability is tightly bound with other social categories, such as race, language, and…

The problem addressed by this study was that School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) is not consistently being implemented with fidelity by special education teachers in urban high schools in California, which can have negative academic and behavioral impacts on students with disabilities. This qualitative descriptive…

Understanding achievement and discipline trajectories of Latinx students is critical given disproportionate dropout/pushout rates of Latinx students from schools across the U.S. Using a Critical Race Theory framework, the current study examined longitudinal associations amongst a sample of (N = 1672) Latinx youths' school readiness at kindergarten…

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine if exposure to a short-term ultrasound basic biology and anatomy course can promote interest in health careers and other science-related endeavors among DHH students. Design/methodology/approach: This was a single-site, prospective observational study of DHH high school students at a Southern…

This study highlights the influence of K-12 classroom experiences on college decision-making processes among Black students with dis/abilities. Within this study, participants articulated how positive and negative educational experiences shaped the choice to pursue higher education, as well as factors prioritized during their decision-making…

High schools hold great potential as contexts within which educators implement evidence-based practices shown to change post-school outcomes for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Unfortunately, educators feel unprepared to use transition and disability-focused evidence-based practices. Coaching, as an essential feature of effective…

A comprehensive high school located in Southern California exhibited a suspension rate of 11.1%, placing it second among high schools within their district during the 2018-2019 academic year. According to the California School Dashboard (2019), students who were African American, Hispanic, English learners, homeless, had disabilities, and were…

Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Plans may earn a diploma or a certificate of completion when leaving secondary education. This study examined differences in career- and work-based learning services and work experiences of students who earned a high school diploma or a certificate of completion upon exiting…

Electronic cigarette use has become epidemic among American youth. Little is known about the extent of use among d/Deaf and hard of hearing (d/Dhh) youth or prevention programming for this population. In a qualitative study with d/Dhh youth and school staff and administrators serving them, four focus groups were conducted with middle school…

Video modeling (VM) has demonstrated efficacy in teaching a variety of skills (e.g., social skills, communication, vocational tasks) to learners with autism spectrum disorder. Previous research indicates teachers and learners have supported the use of VM. However, the majority of studies have focused on elementary-school students; less research…

Student absenteeism is a persistent concern in K-12 education. Not only are the negative academic and social consequences of excessive absenteeism well documented, but states, districts, and schools are increasingly being held accountable for student attendance. As research indicates that disruptions in students' learning contexts may exacerbate…

This dissertation consists of three empirical studies that explore the educational experiences and trajectories of English learners (ELs) and students with disabilities. The first study uses longitudinal data from four large California school districts to examine the characteristics of long-term ELs (LTELs) and former ELs--those reclassified as…