The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of special education teachers to reveal the factors that lead to special education teacher retention. Special education continues to be a critical shortage area in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and there is a lack of current literature that considers…

Data-based instruction (DBI) is a process in which teachers use progress data to make ongoing instructional decisions for students with learning disabilities. Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) is a common form of progress monitoring, and CBM data are placed on a graph to guide decision-making. Despite the central role that graph interpretation…

Staffing shortages in public schools have reached a crisis level. Although pervasive, this crisis has disproportionally impacted the field of special education. Due to the dual roles of special education teachers, specifically serving as teacher and case manager, and other factors, such as addressing the needs of a highly diverse student…

Our main purpose in this study was to investigate the levels of and the relationship between familiarity, confidence, training, and use of problem behavior interventions by special education teachers working with learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in school settings. A total of 80 special education teachers in South Carolina and Virginia…

This article shares the results from a quasi-experimental mixed-methods study of a promising transition-focused professional development approach. The 12-week team-based intervention resulted in positive outcomes among intervention group participants' knowledge and capacities. The intervention group exhibited statistically significant changes in…

The ever-growing English learner student population struggles academically more than any other student group except students identified for special education services (Gandara & Hopkins, 2010). Although effective principal instructional leadership behaviors and practices have been directly and indirectly linked to student academic achievement…

The movement toward inclusive education has transformed the traditional classroom into a collaborative environment where students are able to learn and grow in their least restrictive environment. Although inclusive practices help promote the social, emotional, and academic growth of all students, there are still barriers that prevent its…

Early childhood and early childhood special education programs have predominantly been separate teacher preparation programs that prepare novice teachers for general or special education settings. However, with a growing shift toward inclusion, as well as a shortage of educators with training to teach all children, there is a need for teacher…

We used 14 years of state licensure and classroom data from Virginia to follow 19,878 special education teachers (SETs) who completed either the alternative route (AR) internship or traditional programs. Findings reveal that a greater percentage of SETs of color participated in AR programs compared to traditional licensure programs, while a…

Knowledge of instructional strategies in cotaught K-12 classrooms raises awareness of this unique collaboration for benefitting students with disabilities. The purposes of this qualitative study were to (1) identify pedagogical strategies that facilitate coteaching in inclusive environments and (2) explore the relevance of coteaching teams and…

This interview study with special education teachers in rural and urban school divisions within Virginia, USA, reports instructional strategies that support outcomes for students with social emotional mental health (SEMH) needs. Evidence-based strategies from the interviews are delineated for teachers who work with this highly vulnerable…

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the ways in which school districts provide educational services to all students, especially students with disabilities. Eligible U.S. students with disabilities have a right to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and students with disabilities who…

The problem addressed was that academic achievement gaps existed for low socioeconomic status (SES) family special education students among special education students in United States schools. This problem was important because it negatively affected equity in education as low SES community special education students lagged behind more affluent…

In regard to preschool students with disabilities, teachers need support implementing assistive technology and there is little known about factors that influence teachers' perceptions of assistive technology benefits. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe how the perceptions of early childhood special education teachers…

Attrition among educators is a continuing concern in the area of special education. Job satisfaction has been associated with teacher burnout and teacher attrition. Many times, multiple educators work in a close environment creating a need for community in special education. The purpose of this study is to identify differences in job satisfaction…