This study examined the shared understanding between principals and special education teachers (SETs) regarding the instructional practices and components essential for special education teacher evaluations. Shared mental models and Cultural Consensus Theory (CCT) guided the methodology. Cultural Domain Analysis (CDA), Cultural Consensus Analysis…

The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to determine if and to what extent a statistically significant difference existed between traditionally certified special education teachers and alternatively certified special education teachers in the burnout scales of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment as well…

The problem this study addressed was that K-12 special education teachers were challenged with using effective instructional and engagement practices in a virtual setting for students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore K-12 special education teachers' experiences with using effective instructional and engagement practices…

Field experiences during teacher preparation are fundamental to helping teacher candidates understand their future roles and responsibilities and can effectively prepare them to meet diverse student needs across a variety of contexts. This multiple case study examined the perspectives of three special education dual certification teacher…

Many special education teachers experience low self-efficacy when it comes to supporting the problematic behavior of their students. Low self-efficacy not only results in emotional exhaustion, burnout, and decreased retention, but also directly impacts the success of students in the classroom. The problem this qualitative descriptive study sought…

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, a high turnover rate of PreK-12 special education teachers continues to persist. To ensure all students with disabilities receive equitable access to a special education teacher, turnover intentions among private school teachers require further insight due to a long-standing gap in research. Using the…

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…

Research has shown that schools across the Nation are continuing to face the challenge of a special education teacher shortage. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore how the systemic factors of Bronfenbrenner's (1979) Ecological Systems Theory explain selected special educator's decisions to stay in the profession in a…

This dissertation combines three complementary studies that focused on the assessment and determined the quality of the written performance feedback practices and processes used by university supervisors with special education teacher candidates (SETCs) to improve their practice during field experiences. In the first study, a systematic review of…

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of special education teachers and administrators as to factors that influence retention and attrition while also describing current efforts and strategies being utilized by schools and districts to support special education teacher retention. Teacher shortages caused by attrition in…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how United States K-12 special education teachers as classroom leaders describe their readiness responses (technology acceptance, utilization, and perceived ability) to teach special education students via online learning during a crisis that limits face-to-face learning, such as the…

Special education teachers are few in Georgia public schools, and the numbers are decreasing each year. Policy makers and administrators are busy making policies to assist special education teachers. Therefore, this research included the special education teachers' voice in advising policymakers and administrators about the challenges they…

To address chronically low rates of academic achievement among students with disabilities, as well as the high rates of burnout and attrition among special educators, new models for educator professional learning are critically needed. The EXPERT professional learning (EXPERT-PL) model aims to develop early career special educator expertise in DBI…

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the effectiveness of professional educators in using the methodology of functional behavior assessment (FBA) and function assessment-based intervention (FABI) to reduce challenging behaviors exhibited by students with Down syndrome (DS), or a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism spectrum…

Rural school districts face a unique set of challenges. This dissertation focuses on two rural counties in three school districts in southeastern Ohio and examines the difficulties special education teachers and administrators in rural communities often face. Two special education teachers, a general education teacher, two principals, a special…