This study was designed to gather special education teachers' perceptions of the role and effectiveness of paraprofessionals who work with students with special needs. Participants were special education teachers who were members of an organization specifically dedicated to special education instruction, special education teachers, school…

Students with autism need social skills to succeed academically, which can be fostered with the use of digital social stories (DSSs). While many special educators are expected to use DSSs to teach social skills because of increased elementary autism diagnoses, a significant number of DSS users are unprepared. The problem addressed in this…

Research has indicated that by acquiring the skills realted to self-determination postschoool outcomes and quality of life are likely to improve for young adults with disabilities. Therefore, instructional efforts focused on fostering the self-determination skills is considered an essential component of the educational program and services for…

This study used a mixed methods design with a complementarity purpose to understand how early childhood special education teachers perceive the relationships among trainings they have completed in trauma-informed care and their beliefs that they can teach and support students who have been affected by trauma. Quantitative data were collected…

Special education teachers play a crucial role in supporting the academic and social development of students with disabilities. However, many states, including Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana (the four states), have been experiencing a shortage of special education teachers in recent years, and retaining experienced teachers has become an…

This study investigated how early childhood special education teacher candidates described their professional identities. Professional identity is how individuals think about and act as members of the profession, and it has the potential to impact instructional practice and decisions to stay in the field. Through a qualitative thematic analysis of…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how special education teachers described their level of awareness of evidence-based practices (EBPs) and self-efficacy to identify and implement EBPs in one school district in Southern California. The target population was Pre-k to 12, classroom-based special education teachers…

This qualitative dissertation study examined the complex dynamics and structures (i.e., people and/or explicit/implicit classroom-, school-, and district-wide behaviors and practices and school-wide structures) that influence collaboration between teachers of students with disabilities (TOSD) and teaching assistants (TAs). Specifically, I wanted…

Given the nationwide increase in the diagnosis of autism, particularly in the pediatric population, there is obvious value in examining the effectiveness of intervention methods. This research sought to examine the effectiveness of a music-infused approach combined with Applied Behavioral Analysis methodology. The exploratory mixed method design…

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of support strategies for special education teachers. The purpose was to describe and understand the perceptions and experiences of special education teachers regarding support strategies available and the strategies needed to teach students with disabilities successfully. Using the modified…

Background: The special education teachers' retention is a crucial concern as shortages are noted in states across the nation. This mixed-method study determines the causes of the increasing attrition rates in special education by special education teachers and possible intervention practices, deriving perspectives from special education teachers…

This qualitative case study examined the impact of student death on teachers who educate students with life-limiting and/or life-threatening conditions. To date, research is extremely scarce regarding this small, specialized group of educators. Data was gathered utilizing four open-ended journal entries, three personal artifact videos and one…

Special education teachers are subject to difficult working conditions in their provision of quality special education services to their students. Despite the severe working conditions that special education teachers endure, little research has considered the presence and impact of vicarious trauma (VT) in this specific population. The nature of…

This qualitative study explored the perceptions of general education and special education teachers regarding the effectiveness of inclusive and co-teaching practices. Perceptions from 28 teachers provided insight on the inclusive classroom setting and the effectiveness of co-teaching practices such as alternative teaching, parallel teaching,…

K-12 students with disabilities in the United States are increasingly enrolling in online schools and educational programs. Therefore, K-12 online public and charter school special education (SpecEd) teachers must be prepared to develop and implement individualized educational plans (IEPs) that meet the procedural and substantive requirements of…