Soft skills are the much sought after skills employers are seeking from their employees. In the workforce there is a significant gap in employment rate between individuals with learning disabilities and their same-aged peers. The problem this study sought to address was that high school students with learning disabilities are graduating from high…

Students with different abilities perform lower on state standardized tests, such as the STAAR test (Texas Education Agency, n.d.). The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to study the underlying causes that contributed to the low performance of students with different abilities on STAAR standardized tests and strategies the…

Through a lens of cultural capital, this dissertation explored the complex implementation of Section 504 policy in public high schools, focused on how school-level characteristics and the state-level litigious educational environment impact the qualifying rates of 504 plans. This study of the 2017-18 school year employed data from national…

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;…

This dissertation research is an exploratory multiple-case study of special education transition program structures in three virtual public charter schools in a southern state in the United States. Virtual public charter schools are extensions of public school systems or districts that are required to comply with state and federal-mandated special…

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…

Grounded in empathic education and the concept of rightful presence, this study moved beyond dominant inclusion paradigms, such as the inequitable host-guest 'hospitality' relationship; crucially, the study design prioritized equitable communication access, ensuring that all participants' stories were treated with equal reverence. This qualitative…

There is a significant lack of research on the participation of Deaf student athletes in sports, particularly within Deaf-centric environments where American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language. This study addresses this gap by documenting and recognizing the unique experiences of Deaf student athletes at Gallaudet University, the world's…

This study investigated the impact of AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) English General Paper courses on the academic progress of 10th-grade students with disabilities, specifically their performance in Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) scores. The primary objective was to examine the correlation between ninth-grade FSA…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how public-school IEP team members describe decision-making influences and thresholds in least restrictive environment (LRE) placement for K-5 students with significant support needs in the Midwest. Decision-Making Ecology served as a framework for two research questions which…

Family engagement with schools has been shown to be a predictor of student success (Powell et at., 2010) and federal statute supports school/ family relationships through the Family Engagement in Education Act. For students with disabilities (SWD), family engagement may be even more critical. Unfortunately, data has suggested that family…

Efforts to improve outcomes for students amidst a climate of school accountability have led to a myriad of education initiatives, perhaps none as profound and widespread as the tiered intervention models offered by the RTI and MTSS frameworks. While those who advocate for tiered intervention models argue that these systems bring support to…

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…

To effectively support the academic development of students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it is crucial to establish a collaborative relationship between middle school teachers and parents. However, the lack of comprehensive comprehension regarding teachers' perspectives on this collaboration impedes its…

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum has been implemented in numerous school districts to cultivate positive behaviors and diminish inappropriate conduct and behavioral issues. Beyond enhancing students' interpersonal relationships, essential skills such as relationship-building, responsible decision-making, and empathy enable…