Disability and Equity in Education Commons^™

Using Curated Co-Teaching Tools To Elicit Tacit Experiences Related To Collaboration, Innovation, And Satisfaction Between Co-Teaching Pairs, Lisa Caputo Love

Theses and Dissertations

This is a qualitative, phenomenological study that documents the lived experiences of co-teaching pairs while they engage with a curated co-teaching “toolkit.” The toolkit, which comprises high-leverage practices and related resources, helps to elicit emotions and descriptions of the pairs’ experiences. A mosaic of data was gathered and analyzed for evidence of collaboration and innovation sparked by the toolkit and to assess participants’ perception of feeling valued and satisfied in the co-teaching role. The findings outline that the participants reported that access to the tools and time for their implementation could be helpful, but that more consistency in work pairings …

Assessing Supports And Barriers To Equitable Participation In Occupational Therapy Fieldwork For Students From Minoritized Backgrounds: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Kristin M. Nxumalo, Coalition Of Occupational Therapy Advocates For Diversity Cotad, Alexia Rebne, Janis Yue, Ryan Thomure, Ricardo D. Ramirez

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork experiences in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) education introduce students to novel environments that they must successfully navigate. When examining the experiences of OT and OTA students from minoritized backgrounds, it is critical to understand their fieldwork experiences so that fieldwork educators and partners can create inclusive, supportive environments that promote success for all students. Within this study, a needs assessment was conducted to explore factors that impacted the OT and OTA fieldwork experiences of students from minoritized backgrounds. Using a mixed methods design, a cross-sectional survey was completed by non-faculty OT practitioners (n=48), Academic Fieldwork …

Disability Accommodation Implementation Within Occupational Therapy Academia: A National Descriptive Survey On Knowledge, Training, And Attitudes, Nicole Pawek, Julie Olson Rand, Rebecca Ozelie, Hannah Y. Oldenburg

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs are accredited health professional programs that have, anecdotally, seen an increase in requested disability accommodations among students over the last decade. There is limited knowledge regarding faculty preparedness, available resources, and attitudes related to implementing accommodations in accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs located in the United States. Researchers aimed to describe faculty knowledge and experience with disability accommodation implementation, as well as identify available training and resources related to accommodation implementation and faculty attitudes toward the accommodation implementation process. Researchers used the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES) …

Balancing Acts: Exploring Chronic Illness’ Impact On Achievement In Graduate Health Education, Olivia J. Fulton, Lizeth S. Iboy, Bonnie Decker

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Graduate students with chronic illness encounter barriers as they navigate graduate programs to achieve their personal goals. Chronic illnesses are often invisible, which makes it more challenging to navigate the educational system. This study aimed to understand participants’ ability to engage in their academic environment and how the severity of their symptoms related to their diagnosis impacted participation in lectures, laboratory activities, exams, and competencies. Nineteen participants completed the online survey with questions regarding demographics and perception of how their condition impacted their academic performance on their best days versus worst days. Three assessment tools were incorporated into the survey: …

Supporting Displaced Students With Disabilities In Post-Secondary Education: An International Scoping Review, Tetiana Bogachenko, Jia Xu, Larysa Klymanska, Nadia Chubko

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Students with disabilities who are forced to leave their homes due to armed conflict, persecution, environmental crises, or other forms of involuntary displacement, within their country or internationally, face compounded barriers to accessing and succeeding in post-secondary education. Yet, their experiences, educational trajectories, and the supports available to them remain underexplored. This scoping review examines existing empirical research on the experiences of students with disabilities in post-secondary education who come from forced migration backgrounds. By addressing the intersection of disability, displacement, and post-secondary education, this review highlights the unique challenges faced by this population as well as supports identified as …

It Makes Me Feel Dysphoric: Transgender And Non-Binary Students’ Perspectives Of Gendered Grouping Practices And Curriculum Provision In Secondary School Physical Education In England, Shaun D. Wilkinson, Dawn Penney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study foregrounds the voices of transgender (trans) and non-binary students in a large-scale mixed-methods investigation of gendered grouping practices and curriculum provision in secondary school physical education (PE) in England. Theoretically, the research brought together an interdisciplinary framework for educational inclusion and the trans inclusion staged model to pursue conceptualisations and expressions of inclusion that disrupt cisnormative policies and structures. A survey of 14 co-educational secondary schools generated data from 36 students who identified as trans (n = 18) or non-binary (n = 18). The findings revealed that most trans (n = 16) and all non-binary students expressed preferences …

Social Roles And Faculty Perception Of Collegiate Presidential Candidates, Aaron D. Leedy

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Presidential positions lack the same diversity seen at all other levels within higher education, with only 32.8% of college presidents identifying as women in 2022 (American Council on Education [ACE], 2023). This documented lack of diversity amongst college presidents seems to point to a historical bias in hiring practices for these positions with extant research (Correll & Benard, 2006; Eagly & Carli, 2018; Friedmann & Efrat-Treister, 2023; Moss-Racusin et al., 2012; Sussman, 2019), showing search committees seem to be biased against women candidates for presidential and other leadership roles. Universities expect leaders to be dominant in their positions, and society …

Examining The Association Between Educational Spending In Well-Resourced School Districts And The Academic Performance Of Hispanic Students In Low Socioeconomic Communities, Alicia Cieszykowski

Dissertations of Practice

ABSTRACT

EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL SPENDING IN WELL-RESOURCED SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF HISPANIC STUDENTS IN LOW SOCIOECONOMIC COMMUNITIES

Alicia Cieszykowski

Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

Northern Illinois University, 2026

Benjamin Creed, Director

This study examined the relationship between school district expenditure patterns and academic performance for Hispanic students in adequately funded Illinois school districts. Using a quantitative correlational design, the study explored whether overall spending levels and the allocation of financial resources were associated with Hispanic student achievement and Hispanic–White academic disparities in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. The sample included Illinois Tier …

Educator Understanding Of Mtss: A Quantitative Descriptive Study, Danielle Valiente

Dissertations of Practice

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) require coordinated implementation across the full educator workforce. This study examined MTSS knowledge and self-reported understanding across the Illinois educator workforce to identify the specific knowledge gaps a targeted professional learning solution would need to address. Using a quantitative descriptive design, 208 Illinois public school educators across 16 job roles and four experience bands completed an online survey consisting of an eleven-item true/false knowledge assessment, a ten-item multiple-choice knowledge assessment, and a 10-item Likert self-report inventory. Data were disaggregated by job role and by years of professional experience. Educators demonstrated strong understanding of MTSS structural …

Towards Transgressive Inclusion In Physical Education? The Experiences And Perspectives Of People With Disabilities In Western Australia, Steven Connelly, Dawn Penney, David Aldous

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper foregrounds the voices of people with disabilities (PwD) and their experiences of Physical Education (PE) in Western Australia (WA) in exploring interests in transgressive inclusion that are grounded in social justice and equity for PwD (DeLuca, 2013). Towards an interdisciplinary framework for educational inclusivity. Canadian Journal of Education, 36(1), 305–348. https://journals.sfu.ca/cje/index.php/cje-rce/article/view/1157/1475). The study employed a questionnaire method to pursue the perspectives of PwD in relation to (i) their experiences of lower secondary PE (years 7-10), (ii) teacher support in PE classes, (iii) experiences beyond PE in sport and physical activity, and (iv) their views regarding ways to improve …

Accessibility Analysis Of Academic Library Epubs - Spreadsheets 1 To 3, Adina Mulliken

Publications and Research

These spreadsheets are associated with the article "Accessibility Analysis of Academic Library EPUBs" in Library Resources & Technical Services.

Navigating Mental Wellness: A Peer-Led Journey Into Adult Services, Kristin G. Haberek

DSW Capstone Projects

Students with severe emotional disturbances (SED) occupy one of the most underserved intersections in American education and mental health care. As they age out of children’s services, they face abrupt service discontinuation, disrupted therapeutic relationships, and adult systems ill-equipped to meet their needs. These vulnerabilities, including heightened risks of crisis, hospitalization, homelessness, and justice involvement, constitute a central practice problem. This capstone addresses these transitions across three scholarly products: a systematic literature review, a theoretical concept paper, and a practical application paper, tracing a unified arc from diagnosing structural failures to proposing an evidence-informed, equity-oriented clinical response. Synthesizing key findings …

Ai In Pk-12 Education: Implications For Teaching And Learning, David Naff, Meleah Ellison, Casey Bailey, Tzu-Wei Wang, Kiana Bradford

MERC Publications

This research and policy review from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and learning in public PK-12 education. It is part of a two part series with a companion report focused on AI implications for PK-12 policy. The report explores two questions:

1. How is AI shaping teaching and instructional practice?
2. How is AI shaping student learning and development?

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for PK-12 policy and practice.

Your Left Or Mine: A Journey To Accessibility For Learning Disabilities And Neurodivergence In Stage Combat Pedagogy, Ambria Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines stage combat pedagogy from its inception to the present day through the lens of accessibility for learning disabilities and neurodivergence. Relevant research in education as it relates to disability is analyzed and applied to the field of stage combat pedagogy. What follows is a deconstruction and reconstruction of beginning level stage combat pedagogy to increase accessibility. These ideas are then tested and the results reflected on. This thesis focuses on college level and aged students who are the most likely demographic for beginning stage combat students. The completion of this thesis does not represent an endpoint in …

Children's Peer Selection In Stem: The Influence Of Gender, Ethnicity, And Disability, Meagan Girard, Kim P. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The present study examined how children’s peer selection in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) may be influenced by gender, ethnicity, and physical disability. Sixty-four children (ages 6-12) from elementary schools in Southwestern Ontario completed three tasks: a simulated peer selection task, an attribution of ability task, and a stereotype belief questionnaire. In the peer selection task, participants were repeatedly asked to select one peer from a set of AI-generated photographs showing children who differed by gender (male, female), ethnicity (White, Black, East Asian), and physical disability status (able-bodied user vs. nondisabled). The Peer Selection Task was based on the …

Adults With Dyslexia: Experiences Accessing And Using Reading Strategies And Assistive Technology, Brenda Rosalie King

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder of neurobiological origin characterized by persistent difficulties with accurate and/or fluent reading, word recognition, spelling, and decoding. Although dyslexia is widely recognized as a lifelong learning difference, the majority of research has historically focused on children and adolescents, with less attention given to adult experiences. The purpose of this study was to explore how adults with dyslexia access and use reading strategies and assistive technologies to support reading comprehension and independence across contexts. The study also examined barriers and supports influencing access to these tools, as well as the emotional experiences associated with their …

Early Childhood Educators' Experiences With Autistic Students: A Qualitative Study Of Challenges And Strategies, Sarah Yang

Graduate Masters Theses

Early childhood education is a vital early learning context for children ages 2-5 years old, encompassing some of their most formative years of life. Autistic children, however, are expelled from early childhood education programs at disproportionately high rates—a troubling trend that points to a broader picture of how early education environments lack the support and structure that young autistic children need to succeed. Early childhood educators (ECEs) are fundamental in shaping these early education environments and autistic children’s experiences within them. However, while most ECEs want to include autistic children in their classrooms, past research indicates they feel like they …

Shifting Views, Shaping Outcomes: Exploring Relations Between Educators’ Neurodiversity-Affirming Perceptions And Their Autistic Students’ School Experiences, Josh Yen-Ho Chou

Graduate Masters Theses

School environments frequently serve as a source of socialization but also stigma and socioemotional distress for autistic students. Against this backdrop, teachers can be crucial sources of neurodiversity-affirming views and support. Teachers’ perceptions of students can also shape the quality of their relationships with students and students’ emotional and behavioral adjustment in school. This study focused on understanding how general education teachers perceive autistic students and how these perceptions shape their students’ school experiences. This study sought to investigate the degree to which teachers endorsed three dimensions of neurodiversity-affirming perceptions of their autistic students: (a) strength/deficit-based, (b) holistic/reductionist, and (c) …

“We Talked About Straight People Sex”: The Health Education Experiences Of Queer And Trans Youth In Utah, Sonny Partola

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

This article explores how Utah’s health education curriculum shapes the experiences of queer and trans youth. Drawing on critical ethnography conducted at an urban public high school, the study foregrounds the voices of six queer and trans students. Findings reveal that abstinence-focused and heteronormative curricula render these youth invisible, exclude critical information on queer, trans, and intersex health, and compromise students’ well-being. Participants described feelings of discomfort, irrelevance, and pressure to act as informal educators for peers. Their accounts highlight the urgent need for queerly responsive health education that affirms diverse identities, normalizes inclusion, and provides accurate, relevant information. Such …

(In)Consequential Rhetoric: Grading Policy And Values Misalignment At First-Generation-Serving Community Colleges, Sarah N. Seiffert

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Research indicates that first-generation (FG) students face a number of barriers to success in higher education when compared to their continuing-generation peers. Although many institutions serving a large number of FG students have implemented programs to support this population, little attention has been paid to institutional grading policies that reinforce harmful practices by attempting to standardize assessment while perpetuating inequalities. This study uses document analysis and critical policy analysis to examine the alignment between the grading policies and institutional values of 25 community colleges serving high FG student populations. Findings reveal critical tensions between the stated values of these colleges …