This study used a non-experiment, ex post facto design analysis of survey responses to examine the difference between school districts that met and did not meet New York State: State performance plan Indicator 13- secondary transition; and Indicator 14 - post-school outcomes in special education providers' self-reported use of evidence-based…

Multiply marginalized learners (MMLs), students with two or more marginalized identity factors (Annamma et al., 2013), are America's most vulnerable K-12 student population. MMLs face significant challenges, including increased opportunity- and academic achievement gaps (Hanushek et al., 2019; McClellan et al., 2018). They are disproportionately…

Despite comprising almost 15% of students in U.S. public schools (NCES, 2022), dual-identified students--those classified as requiring both Special Education (SpEd) and English as a Second Language (ESL) services--remain an understudied population. Scholars have pointed to the lack of integrated instructional models that address both language…

This qualitative phenomenological study sought to understand the implications for the inclusive natures of public-school settings. This study utilized Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles paired with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework as proponents of inclusive tools for special education teachers. Explicit training was provided to…

The rapid shift to online learning exposed significant gaps in special educators' preparedness and ability to adapt instruction for students with disabilities (SWDs) effectively. The study sought to develop an in-depth understanding of these challenges to inform training, resource allocation, and support for special education teachers providing…

Data collection of IEP goals is an ongoing problem in special education (Blackwell & Rossetti, 2014; Codding, Skorron, & Pace, 2005, Sandall, Schwartz, & LaCroix, Ruble, McGrew, Wong, & Missall, 2018; Walton, 1985). Research shows that there are inconsistencies between belief and practice. Many educators acknowledge the importance…

Within general education settings, students with disabilities may not gain maximum benefit from the use of emerging inclusive pedagogical frameworks unless the role of special educators is reconfigured so that their expertise can be applied to instructional design and delivery. The purpose of this study was to investigate how special educators…

A quarter of special education teachers who have been trained through an alternative teacher preparation program have left assigned classrooms throughout the United States after 1 year, and almost half have left within 5 years. However, little is known regarding why special educators, alternatively prepared for the classroom, leave the classroom…

Research indicates that parents who are involved in their children's schools support their children's learning at home, and engage more frequently with their children's teachers (Reinke et al., 2019). In contrast, lower levels of parental involvement are associated with adverse behaviors at school, less social interactions, and lower academic…

Education equality and the inclusion of students with disabilities have been a long-traveled journey. Though there has been an increase in this student population within the general education classroom, research suggests less of students with mild to moderate disabilities are mainstreamed. It is important to understand how any existing barriers…

Paraeducators are integral to the special education setting and work under the supervision of certified teachers. They provide support for students with various special needs and support the teacher in providing specialized instruction to meet these needs. This study sought to address the following research questions: (1) what are special…

The field of early childhood special education faces a significant teacher shortage that is in need of solutions (Bruder, 2010; Carver-Thomas & Darling-Hammond, 2017). An unaddressed area of examination in resilience research is the role that professional relationships play in enhancing teacher resilience, career longevity, and job…

This dissertation study examined the mechanisms inside and outside of school that propel and disrupt student entry to domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). Specifically, this study focused on punitive and isolating responses from school adults that push certain students away from school success and into mechanisms that lead to DMST, such as the…

This mixed methods study was designed to examine the factors that experienced special education teachers report as being influential in their decision to remain in the field of special education. The study collected data using surveys and interviews with experienced special education teachers to gather their perspectives and identify common themes…

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…