The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between teacher efficacy and enthusiasm using a mixed methods approach. Efficacy as a construct was explored, along with understanding both the positive and negative drivers of that construct. The research was conducted to understand the following: the reliability and construct validity…

Studies employing multiple-schedule arrangements to bring social approaches (e.g., requesting attention, raising hand) under stimulus control have commonly used correlated contrived, continuous stimuli with at least one condition (e.g., displaying a green stimulus when attention is available and a red stimulus when it is not). Although imposing…

The problem addressed by this study was the high rates of burnout experienced by special education teachers. Teacher burnout is seen as a problem for districts, schools, and students with disabilities. The purpose of this qualitative explanatory case study was to explore the perceptions of special education teachers in New York State regarding the…

The special education teacher shortage in the U.S. continues to grow and the implication of this shortage is multifaceted. First and foremost, students that are eligible for special education may not be receiving the educational supports and services that they deserve and legally require. Additionally, this shortage may cause great financial…

This dissertation explores teacher and paraeducator training with a specific focus on generalization of training outcomes and social validity. Chapter 1 presents brief background information to introduce the research questions posed in Chapters 2, 3, and 4. Chapter 2 presents a systematic literature review of educator training studies that…

Supporting beginning teachers continues to be problematic for education systems across the nation. Issues concerning recruitment and retention have long plagued the profession. The onset of the global pandemic exacerbated these issues, particularly across rural communities. Researchers continue to advocate for the need to provide beginning…

The primary purpose of this study was to synthesise the current research related to special education teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). Inclusion and exclusion criteria yielded a total of 13 studies, six of those using a qualitative approach and seven of those using a quantitative approach, and all the studies were from research…

Classroom observation is an accountability practice which promotes the evaluation of teachers' capacity to meet standards, improve teaching practices, and enhance student learning outcomes. Prior research has revealed that these practices are not without bias: the reliability of observation can be challenged because of classroom or observer…

The digital training of teachers in general, and especially special education teachers, has become a key axis for transforming the education system in favour of quality education, equality and equity. This study provides a systematic review of the literature in four databases (Scopus, ERIC, Dialnet and Web of Science) on the level of digital…

Teaching assistants (TAs) play a large role in the delivery of special education services for students with disabilities in the United States (Brock & Carter, 2015; Stockall, 2014) and "there is undoubtedly a place for well-conceived paraprofessional supports in special education" (Suter & Giangreco, 2009). The sheer number of…

The high school (HS) graduation rate of students with disabilities who have individual education programs (IEP) is historically low compared with their non-disabled peers. The problem was that a statewide initiative to improve the standard HS diploma graduation rate of students with disabilities, the April Dunn Act (the Act), was perceived as…

Inclusive education in Ireland has made major advances in the past two decades, with an increasing number of students with special educational needs (SEN) attending mainstream schools. This paper is part of a bigger study which examines the Special Education Teacher Allocation Model (SETAM) (Circular 0013/2017 Department of Education and Skills…

Team collaboration is an essential component of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services that directly impacts outcomes for students in special schools. Given the central role of the Special Education Teacher (SET) in the AAC team, there is a need to explore and understand SETs' perceptions to support effective team collaboration.…

We examined factors that lead to the attrition and retention of special education teachers (SETs) based on gender, race, and geographical location. Factors leading to SETs intent to stay or leave teaching is commonly overlooked in research, particularly when controlling for gender and race. Thus, we reviewed survey data of 778 SETs, controlling…

In Ireland, hospital schools comprise a very small component of the overall primary and post-primary education system. Indeed, there are only seven hospital schools employing a total of 21 teachers nationally. Given the size and uniqueness of this education setting, opportunities for teacher continuous professional development are limited. This…