This study was a qualitative examination of special education teachers' perceptions of social skills training for students with autism. The problem is that without social skills training, individuals with autism are not learning the social skills necessary for independence. Those impacted by social vulnerabilities are individuals with autism,…

Standards-based grading has been used in many Illinois public elementary schools for years, offering educators a different way of assessing and communicating to parents about their student achievement and performance on the grade level state standards. Educators faced many benefits and challenges using a standards-based grading system identified.…

Passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) in 2008 expanded access to postsecondary opportunities for individuals with I/DD by establishing Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTP) for which federal financial aid can be used. Postsecondary enrollment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has increased…

Special educators do not feel involved in their school community due to a lack of understanding of their area of specialty. This lack of involvement leads to special educators feeling their jobs and needs are misunderstood or ignored within their school. Without the intervention and support of their principals, special educators continue to…

The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (2019) mandates that educators provide students with free appropriate public education, resulting in inclusion opportunities for students with disabilities (SWD). Despite this progress, there remains a gap in preparing teachers adequately for the challenges of serving SWD in inclusive classrooms. The…

The concept of serving students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment is a fundamental principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This mandate emphasizes that students with disabilities should receive their education alongside their non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible. This is often achieved in…

Parent engagement in the transition planning process for students with IEPs is an essential indicator for positive post-school outcomes for students with disabilities graduating from high school. Barriers to parent participation include lack of communication, trust, and knowledge of the process in which they are participating. Educators must seek…

Globally, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has significantly impacted special education teachers and educational institutions. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020 led to an almost complete closure of school buildings, triggering a significant disruption to K -12 education across the United States (Education Week, 2020). The quick…

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the experiences and literacy development of elementary students receiving Tier 2 reading intervention services. Specifically, this qualitative case study explored the questions of: (a) In what ways are third- and fourth-grade students who are receiving Tier 2 reading intervention experiencing their…

The case study of two-non tenured special education teachers investigated the impact of a targeted teaching approach on disruption rates of EBD students. The Responsive Classroom Approach, specifically, provided teachers with ample skills to effectively address the challenges that arose in the classroom, beyond the scope of teaching a lesson. The…

Special education teachers are tasked with ensuring the implementation of a free appropriate public education, which might also include supporting students who demonstrate severe problem behavior (SPB). Often, students with emotional and behavioral disorders are likely to engage in SPB in various forms such as physical aggression and property…

Individuals who work in special education services and the stakeholders in the Individualized Education Program meetings (IEPs) must make educational decisions impacting the child's academic, behavioral, and social development through their academic journey. The mixed-method study sought to investigate administrators' effectiveness at IEP…

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to understand how veteran special education teachers describe the personal, social, and professional experiences that influenced their motivation and commitment to continue teaching in special education for ten or more years in public schools within the United States. The study draws upon Herzberg's et al.…

This dissertation explores the perceptions of student-teacher relationships among students with emotional disabilities held by general and special education teachers in inclusive and self- contained settings. This research explores how teacher groups perceive these student--teacher relationships within both learning environments and to what extent…

The purpose of this study was to examine burnout during the career cycle of special education teachers working with students identified with emotional disturbance. Specifically, this study explored how teachers utilized coping strategies during their encounters with burnout, and the supports needed for long term success. Eight special education…