This qualitative study explores the lack of understanding of teacher perceptions on classroom utilization of fidgets with students who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Eight American special education middle school teachers from a midsized suburban public school district in Illinois were interviewed. Interview transcripts were…

Coaching is an essential component of supporting teachers to implement evidence-based practices (EBPs) in classrooms. The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI), an EBP designed to promote student self-determination, uses a research-based coaching model with six guiding principles. This qualitative study analyzed the content of…

Globally, there are political, social, and financial obstacles to providing high quality, inclusive early childhood education to young children with disabilities and their families. Many teachers are able to identify the systemic issues that negatively impact their work; however, many early childhood special education (ECSE) teachers do not have…

The purpose of this case study is to examine the impact that social emotional learning (SEL) has on students within a partnered learning classroom environment. Most research on social emotional learning focuses on elementary aged students, and lacks data from high school aged adolescents. Research interests include topics such as body language…

Teacher evaluation has been closely tied to professional development. In special education, professional development experiences are meant to promote special educator learning and implementation of high leverage practices. Yet, the connection between teacher evaluation outcomes and professional development decisions of special educators is largely…

This study explored the self-efficacy of secondary general and special education teachers when teaching students with a specific learning disability in reading (SLDR) and using content area texts and resources. It investigated whether differences existed among high school general and special education teachers, between teachers of various content…

The objective of this study was to provide immediate feedback to special education teacher candidates during the teaching practice process. The presence of the academician offering coaching in the classroom during the teaching process has the potential to cause students with special needs distress and impede their ability to focus on the lesson.…

The aim of the study is to provide an in-depth understanding of the use of social-emotional goals in Individualized Education Program (IEP) for elementary students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH). Thus, there is a need to provide more than academic skills in school, which are related to social-emotional learning. Over the past century,…

Burnout is a significant challenge for special educators' wellbeing, as they report higher levels of stress than general educators. Rates of burnout are highest among special educators serving youth with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). At a time when nearly half of all students with EBD are spending more than 20% of their school day…

Teaching through collaborative making has found its way into K12 schools and colleges of education, but minimal research exists on making for learning in special education settings. Even less research is available focusing on preservice special education teachers using making as a pedagogical tool for academic interventions. This multiple case…

Although special education legal knowledge is central to educating students with disabilities, how two critical school professionals--special educators and school principals--garner such knowledge is unclear. This study identified gaps in the professional training for special educators and school principals by examining professional standards and…

To strengthen inclusion practices in schools, a mandate was passed requiring special education teachers working at the middle and high school levels to become content certified. The purpose of this research study was to examine the outcome the content/dual certification mandate had on special education teachers' roles in co-taught inclusion…

This study investigates the strategies that teachers employ when presenting the meaning and form of a novel English word to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This case study observed and interviewed three teachers who taught five ASD students with diverse characteristics and varying language proficiency. Thematic analysis was conducted…

There are qualitative studies aimed at identifying the problems encountered in the course of preparing individualized education programs (IEP). However, these studies are conducted with only a few participants. There is a need to test the results on a larger sample size. A questionnaire based on findings of interview techniques, used in…

Attrition has affected special education for decades. Understanding the influence of job satisfaction upon employee retention is vital in developing a country's work force. This qualitative study consisted of 12 participants and explored the influencing factors of Bahamian special educators' withdrawal from public education. Job Satisfaction and…