Principals, with their unwavering dedication, manage a diverse array of responsibilities, including overseeing the instructional program, daily operations, school governance, budgets, human resources, and school maintenance. They also strive to foster an inclusive environment that ensures a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for students…

Given the national shortage of special educators, many are entering the profession through alternative certification, assuming full responsibility for classrooms or caseloads before they are fully licensed as special education teachers. This qualitative study explores the support provided to beginning alternative certification teachers in a…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how special education teachers described their level of awareness of evidence-based practices (EBPs) and self-efficacy to identify and implement EBPs in one school district in Southern California. The target population was Pre-k to 12, classroom-based special education teachers…

This study examines job satisfaction among special educators while focusing on factors such as workload, administrative support, compensation, and self-efficacy. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, and informed by push and pull theory, the research in this study combines both quantitative and qualitative data analysis through the collection of…

Teacher beliefs about race and dis/ability1 are important in understanding how teachers educate and support students of color with dis/abilities. This is particularly critical because of the overrepresentation of students of color in special education, irrelevant curriculum, and poor post-school outcomes which continue to impact students of color…

At a time when there is an increase in prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), creating a high demand for professionals who have knowledge and skills in the use of evidence-based practices identified for students with ASD, there is also a severe shortage of special educators in our schools. Teacher attrition is a significant contributor to…

This study investigated the impact of technology on students with special needs. Technology is increasingly becoming more embedded in education and is used to help support a wide variety of student accommodations. As technology usage in education increases, it is important that research on its impact on student population groups includes special…

Children and adults are frequently engaging in shared reading activities and storytelling within early childhood settings. This includes children with varying abilities and intersecting identities learning in inclusive or special education settings. Researchers recognize the importance of representation in children's stories, and stories that…

The researcher examined literature and data related to policies and organizational structures of special education case management within California public schools. A review of literature exposed issues related to special education teacher attrition, burnout, role ambiguity, and growing expectations all while lacking support. Previous studies also…

Kindergarten and first-grade students who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have additional learning needs impeding the learning of self and others. The purpose of the qualitative study was to investigate: (a) the successes, challenges, barriers, and needs of teachers working with students who have ADHD;…

High rates of special education teacher attrition negatively impact teachers and students. In an effort to address attrition and support new special education teachers, many school districts pair mentor teachers with novice teachers. Effective mentoring programs have been shown to alleviate some of the stresses of novice teaching and reduce the…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how special education e-mentor teachers in a large urban school district in southern California describe their experiences and expectations. Electronic mentoring was phenomenon examined using Hudson's (2004) five-factor mentoring model as the theoretical framework. Two research…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore novice special education teachers experiences and perceptions, and subsequent training needs, of implementing beneficial trauma-informed support structures in their classroom environments with students with mild or moderate disabilities who may have experienced trauma after the completion…

Novice special education teachers (SETs) often report on stress and burnout in their jobs, identifying collaboration with colleagues as a factor that supports them during the first years (Belknap & Taymans, 2015). While previous research focused on teachers' support from their mentor teachers, administrators, and colleagues, in this study we…

In the state of California, the Education Specialist Teaching Performance Assessment (EdSp TPAs) is the latest accountability measure to be required of aspiring education specialists. Existing literature has been overwhelmingly critical of the TPAs (Dover, 2022; Valdez et al., 2020). And now, in the dawn of the EdSp TPAs, there must be a candid…