Education Commons^™

I Never Knew I Could Stand Up To The System: Families' Perspectives On Pursuing Inclusive Education, Elizabeth Erwin, Leslie C. Soodak

Department of Teaching and Learning Scholarship and Creative Works

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences encountered by parents committed to inclusive education for their children with disabilities. In-depth interviews of nine study participants were analyzed to identify common themes related to their experiences and perceptions. Results revealed that parents desired inclusive education, because they viewed it as a fundamental right for their children. Most importantly, findings indicated that parents employed numerous strategies to obtain inclusive education for their children, often seeking assistance from the courts and media. These findings suggest the need for meaningful family and school collaboration.