This mixed-methods sequential explanatory study aimed to evaluate the self-efficacy and anxiety of learning disabilities teachers (LD teachers) regarding data-driven decision-making (DDDM). The initial phase involved surveying 309 LD teachers, followed by in-depth interviews with five participants to gain further insights. The study's second phase…

Our national survey of the early intervention (EI) and early childhood special education (ECSE) workforce highlights key strengths and concerns. Workers find their roles rewarding, appreciate making a difference for children and families, and are well-qualified, with most holding at least a bachelor's degree. However, the workforce lacks…

Social deficits are often a core area of development for students in special education, thus schools are charged with providing social skills interventions. Although many strategies are available, few schools successfully employ evidence-based interventions for students with autism and related disabilities. A way to address these concerns while…

Background/Context: Students with disabilities (SWDs) spend most of their day in general education classrooms. Notably, there has been a growing trend towards the placement of students with disabilities in these general education settings (Williamson et al., 2020), where general educators are the primary instructors of educating students with…

This qualitative phenomenological study delved into the factors influencing the retention of special education teachers in rural Luzerne County, Pennsylvania school districts. The focus was on understanding why these educators chose to continue in their positions despite facing significant challenges such as limited resources, administrative…

As more schools move to adopt inclusive practices, special educators are expected to provide services to students in new settings, collaborate with their general education colleagues, and navigate various difficult situations. These new settings, models, and collaborative efforts can be stressful for the special educator because of the conflicts…

Special educators are considered essential in schools, both in the regular system and in the separate special needs system. It is important to understand how special education is envisioned among teachers who choose further study in this field. The aim of this study is to gain more knowledge about what motivates teachers to gain further…

Co-teaching has become a well-known way of working among Finnish teachers in recent years. Teachers' collaboration is becoming increasingly important in light of the rising number of diverse students in regular classes. In an ideal co-teaching context, teachers collaborate as equals, recognise and respect each other's skills and competencies, and…

Practical and forward-thinking, "Developing Teacher Leaders in Special Education" is the administrator's essential guide to growing special educator leadership in any school, district, or program. Special educators need to be flexible, proactive, and collaborative -- qualities that make them uniquely suited to roles in school leadership…

The consistency of a predominantly White special education teaching workforce in urban classrooms and the significant increase in the enrollment of culturally diverse students have fueled concerns about equity and access in special education (Artiles et al., 2010; Zion & Blanchett, 2017). Scholars advocate that all teachers need to understand…

This qualitative study examines how and why special education teachers use mindfulness in their classrooms. Through decades of research with adult populations, mindfulness has been found to be an effective strategy supporting mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. However, there is a gap in the research on mindfulness with youth…

What is the correlation between pre-screening tools and teaching experiences in the special education setting? Are pre-screening tools, used by school district throughout the country, able to predict an applicant's teaching experience? This study seeks to find the answers to these two research questions. In this qualitative study, twenty special…

Classroom observation tools can play an important role in teacher candidate evaluation and training. However, the field of special education has not developed observation tools explicitly for teacher candidates, tools that measure constructs important to special education. To help provide teacher candidates with constructive feedback, it is…

There is limited research on sexuality education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The present study examined special education teachers' feelings of self-efficacy to teach sexuality education to students with IDD. Using a 36-item Attitudes and Beliefs Instrument and a 13-item Self Efficacy Survey, this study…

This study explored why some special education teachers (SET) have chosen to remain in the profession despite the rapid implementation of change that they do not control or value. SETs have left the profession at alarming rates in the last decade and continue to do so, creating a knowledge and skills gap of experienced teachers to work with our…