This article explores my PhD research into Tongan family practice, looking at how Tongan families support and care for their member with "siva-tu'amelie's" (special needs) education. The article discusses the layered approach of both Pacific and non-Pacific methodologies that I used during the study to ensure a safe space for…

Completing a program of study and earning a credential is a mark of student perseverance and success. Student completion rates can tell us how well colleges and universities support students in completing an educational program. A research study by the US Department of Education reported students who completed non-degree certificate programs had…

At the same time that legislative mandates and accountability measures are imposed on schools and districts related to the academic performance of all students, including those with disabilities (SWD), an increasing number of SWD are placed in general education settings. This shift in practice calls for more attention regarding how leaders and…

Special education knowledge may be a key factor for caregivers when accessing services at school however, few studies have compared linguistic differences while highlighting Spanish-speaking families' experiences (Burke et al, 2021; Trainor, 2010), A quasi-experimental survey design was selected to quantitatively answer the following research…

Historical, post-secondary enrollment data can provide insights into trends within self-reported racial/ethnic identities and dis/ability status over time. Research shows that students of color and students with dis/abilities often face bias and unique challenges when compared to their contemporaries. By acknowledging the American educational…

This dissertation encompasses a mostly quantitative cross-sectional survey design with some qualitative elements and delves into educational self-determination, particularly at the elementary level. When reviewing available research regarding self-determination, the researcher noticed that a gap exists. The main focus of studies investigating…

The percentage of undergraduate students in the U.S. who report a visual disability is over 3.5%, and worldwide over a billion people claim a significant visual impairment. As more higher learning institutions build Active Learning Classrooms (ALCs), it's critical to understand how these students experience such a different style of learning…

At an urban elementary school in a northeastern state in the United States, the problem in this study is that despite professional development (PD) provided to elementary teachers to support students with disabilities, (SWDs), in inclusionary classrooms, elementary teachers have not been prepared to effectively meet instructional needs of SWDs.…

There has been limited research regarding how general education teachers prepare typical students to communicate effectively with students with disabilities. Therefore, this study explored the lives of eight Michigan general education teachers who instruct typical students and students with disabilities to fill the literature gap. Using Moustakas'…

Societal ostracism and socio-cultural integration of children with disability, as well as parents' and monitors' challenges therefrom, constitute issues that deserve particular examination and consideration. Owing to that, through a qualitative ethnography, we investigated such issues employing in-depth interview and observation (n = 15). Some…

This study aims to descriptively analyze the studies on multiple disabilities in Türkiye between 2008 and 2022. The data of the research were searched in Anadolu University Library, Google Scholar, and Higher Education Institution Thesis databases with the keywords multiple disability, multiple disabilities, and additional disability. In this…

Background: The need for evidence-based, effective interventions is especially great in literacy -- particularly for young students, mastering early literacy skills is predictive of later school success (Slavin et al., 2011). Understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, also known as the alphabetic principle, is essential for…

Being a first-year student living with disability can be challenging. However, many of these challenges hold potential towards growth and wellbeing. This study explored and described the challenge-related growth experiences of first-year students living with a disability at a higher education institution in South Africa. Individual interviews and…

Disparities in postschool outcomes between student groups associated with intersecting historical marginalizations such as ableism, racism, classism, and linguicism remain stark. Critical research methods have contributed to the development of equity-focused research. In this conceptual paper, we examine intersectional research, one critical…

The problem was that professional learning communities (PLCs) have not focused on topics relevant to teachers of students with developmental disabilities, limiting these teachers' professional development (PD) and their students' educational opportunities. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore whether fifth grade…