Disability and Equity in Education Commons^™

Comprehensive Postsecondary Transition Planning For Students With Intellectual Disability In Florida, Sonia Y. Clark-Rosier

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the impact of early transition planning on parents’ postsecondary expectations for their child with an intellectual disability and to examine the benefits of planning, particularly when considering higher education opportunities. This study also probed the factors that contribute to the development of self-efficacy in special education teachers facilitating comprehensive transition planning. Schlossberg’s transition theory, with its four S’s—situation, support, self, and strategies—served as the theoretical framework. The data collection methods were document analysis, focus groups with special education teachers, high school teachers, and parents, and researcher observations. Seven themes emerged to …

Accessibility Services And Support In Small And Rural Academic Libraries, Robert M. Amerson, Deborah Tritt Harmon

The Southeastern Librarian

This exploratory study examines how small and rural academic libraries support students with disabilities. While grounded in a professional commitment to equitable service, these libraries often face challenges, such as limited staff, aging infrastructure, and stagnant funding. Survey results from 38 librarians reveal a strong dedication to accessibility, despite institutional constraints. Respondents identified barriers, such as insufficient training, inadequate resources, and minimal collaboration with campus disability offices. However, many also reported implementing personalized, student-centered services and cited the advantages of flexibility and close student relationships in small academic settings. The findings underscore the need for tailored support, increased training opportunities, …

Teaching Kitchen Safety Using A Modified Coach In The Kitchen Curriculum Paired With Behavioral Skills Training Procedure With Young Adults With High Functioning Autism, Ryan Michael Groeneweg

Dissertations and Theses

Few intervention studies address the needs of young adults with high‑functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition toward adulthood. This study used a single‑subject multiple‑baseline design across participants and skills to evaluate the effects of a modified Coach in the Kitchen curriculum paired with Behavioral Skills Training (BST) on the acquisition of kitchen safety behaviors. Three adults with high‑functioning autism were taught task‑analyzed steps for safe use of a kitchen peeler, knife, and hot liquids. Instruction incorporated modeling, rehearsal, feedback, prompting, and strategies for generalization and maintenance. Performance was measured as the percentage of safety steps correctly completed during …

The Broken Promise Of The Idea: How Delays And Disparities Undermine Special Education Rights, Silvia C. Montiel Morales

Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was enacted to guarantee children with disabilities the right to a free appropriate public education. In practice, that promise is too often broken. Students, especially those from low-income families and communities of color, wait months or years for evaluations, attend underfunded schools that lack qualified staff, and face systemic barriers to enforcing their rights. Meanwhile, families with resources can sidestep delays through private testing, attorneys, and advocacy, leaving others behind. This Note examines how systemic delays, underfunding, and inequities in special education services undermine children’s rights under the statute. It argues that these …

Examining Explicit Professional Development As A Means To Change Inclusive Mindsets, Mitchell E. Elatkin

Theses and Dissertations

Inclusive education requires educators to hold beliefs that support the participation and success of students with disabilities in general education settings. Although federal policy mandates access to the least restrictive environment, educator attitudes toward inclusion continue to influence the implementation of inclusive practices. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine whether explicit professional development (PD) focused on inclusive mindsets influenced school stakeholders’ attitudes toward inclusion across a school year. Participants included representatives from various roles within a charter school organization in the Midwest. The researcher collected data through two administrations of the Adapted Teacher Attitudes Toward Inclusion Survey …

The Liminal Space Of Invisible Disability: An Educator And Doctoral Student Autoethnography, Tina Michelle Samuels

Georgia Educational Researcher

This autoethnographic study explores the liminality of navigating academia as both a remote doctoral student and a college instructor living with invisible, fluctuating chronic illnesses. Grounded in standpoint epistemology and the rallying cry of "Nothing About Us, Without Us," the author examines the "Crip Liminality" of occupying a threshold between the able-bodied majority and established disability categories. Through the lens of Spoon Theory and "bodywork," the article details how conditions like Fibromyalgia, POTS, and Interstitial Cystitis disrupt traditional academic rhythms, necessitating remote environments as essential adaptations rather than luxuries. The paper identifies critical gaps in current institutional accommodation models, which …

Academic Coaching Modality, Academic Self-Efficacy, Academic Success, And Executive Functioning Skills In Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Tracey Y. Hurd

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As the number of students with a diagnosis of ADHD rises, postsecondary institutions must determine support services, such as academic coaching, that can contribute to their academic success. This study sought to examine the use of academic coaching in students with ADHD to increase executive functioning skills, while determining if the modality of the sessions affects these skills and student academic success, taking into consideration the role of academic self-efficacy in these behaviors. The study also examined Academic Coaches' perceptions of how their coaching practice impacts student academic success, the survey findings, and the potential impact of those findings on …

(Trans*)Gressing Discourse: Producing And Disrupting Normativity In Education For Trans* Students With Dis/Abilities, Meagan Meredith

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation investigates how political rhetoric, education policy, and educational community member discourse construct, circulate, and contest meanings about trans*ness and dis/ability in K-12 public schools. In doing so, the study examines how meanings about normativity are discursively produced and disrupted for students living at this specific intersection. Grounded in a trans* methodology, this study performs a critical discourse analysis through a rhizomatic reading of policy texts, political rhetoric, and publicly available stakeholder discourse. This work responds to a gap in the literature that fails to understand the complexities experienced by trans* students with dis/abilities, particularly in hostile school climates. …

Using Ai-Generated Multimedia To Teach Leisure Choice Making, Charles Thull

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This learning representation introduces an AI-developed, multimedia assessment for identifying leisure preferences among middle school students with developmental disabilities. Grounded in instructional design, ecological systems, and multimedia learning theories, the activity integrates ChatGPT, InVideo AI, Sora, DALL·E, and Gemini to create guided-choice visuals, short videos, and a structured, teacher-facilitated paired-choice activity using visual prompts across home, school, and community interest contexts. The technology-developed design fosters engagement, accessibility, and self-expression as students participate in a structured, teacher-facilitated paired-choice activity. Outcomes include enhanced student voice in leisure planning, increased self-awareness, and the identification of potential leisure interests. Assessments include student responses to …

Basc-3 Adolescent Version For American Indian / Alaska Native (Ai/An) Adolescents With Learning Difficulties: Identifying Comorbidities, Benjamin L. Shannon

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Deficiencies in cultural sensitivity among popular psychological assessment instruments can have significant consequences for diverse test takers, leading to inaccurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention. The present study aimed to explore possible differences in mean raw scale scores between an AI/AN adolescent sample and BASC-3 SRP-A and TRS-A normative sample data, as well as to establish preliminary evidence to suggest an increased prevalence of social/emotional dysfunction for AI/AN adolescents diagnosed with multiple specific learning disabilities (SLDs). Archival BASC-3 SRP-A and TRS-A data, collected from students and teachers at a residential school for American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents from …

(In)Visible Diverse Gender And Sexual Identities Of Pre-Service Teachers: Disclosure, Emotional Labour And Safety Work Within Initial Teacher Education(In)Visible Diverse Gender And Sexual Identities Of Pre-Service Teachers: Disclosure, Emotional Labour And Safety Work Within Initial Teacher Education, Saul A. Karnovsky, Matthew J. Phillips, Breeanna Melville

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Australia is currently facing a significant teacher attrition crisis, with early career educators increasingly leaving the profession due to burnout, demoralisation, and adverse working conditions. This issue is exacerbated for teachers of diverse genders and sexualities (DGS), who encounter heightened levels of discrimination, exclusion, and mental health challenges within educational institutions. Despite broader societal progress, Australian schools and universities remain sites of persistent queerphobia, contributing to unsafe and unsupportive environments for DGS individuals. This article focuses on pre-service teachers (PSTs) enrolled in initial teacher education (ITE) programs. The study addresses an important gap in the literature by exploring how emotional …

Empowering Pre-Service Ecse Teachers Through Ai Simulation: Strengthening Family-Centered Iep Facilitation, Jody L. Shong

Essays in Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping instructional practice across educational contexts, yet its role in preparing early childhood special education (ECSE) teachers for complex relational work remains underexplored. Facilitating Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings requires educators to integrate legal knowledge, developmental data, interdisciplinary collaboration, and family priorities within emotionally nuanced conversations. Many pre-service teachers enter the profession without structured opportunities to rehearse these responsibilities.

This article argues that AI-supported simulation represents a practical and equity-oriented approach to strengthening teacher preparation. Grounded in family–professional partnership theory, anti-bias education, and practice-based pedagogy, this manuscript examines how simulation can support relational competence while …

“Don’T Let Your Disability Be Your Weakness, Let It Be Your Greatest Strength”: A Phenomenological Study Of Nursing Students Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing, Randa Melms

Dissertations of Practice

This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of nursing students who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) as they navigated nursing education and the clinical learning environment. Using critical disability theory (CDT) as a guiding framework, the study explored how participants understood, negotiated, and redefined their identities within a profession historically shaped by hearing norms. Four essential themes emerged: reframing disability as expertise, navigating institutional supports and structural barriers, negotiating clinical spaces designed around hearing bodies, and drawing strength from relational networks. These findings can inform more inclusive practices among higher education professionals and clinical educators, helping reduce disparities …

Ai-Generated Content In Education: Moving Beyond Theory Toward Data-Driven And Actionable Insights, Huong Thi Pham, Nhung Thi Phuong Nguyen

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The emergence of AI-powered content such as text, images, and videos generated by large language models (LLMs) has rapidly transitioned from an experimental novelty to a structural force in higher education. Yet, previous reviews have remained largely conceptual or focused on the early stages of the AI wave. This study offers an updated, multi-faceted overview of AI-generated content in education based on data from 2022 to 2025. Following the PRISMA protocol, we systematically identified and reviewed 64 peer-reviewed studies to examine usage, transformation of teaching practices, impacts on learning outcomes, and challenges related to academic integrity, bias, trustworthiness, and teacher …

Development And Psychometric Validation Of A Short-Form Critical Thinking Scale In Generative Ai Contexts (Genai–Crt): Evidence From Vietnamese Efl Learners, Ngo Cong-Lem, Thang T. Nguyen, Khanh N. H. Nguyen, Quyen N. H. Nguyen

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The rapid spread of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in education has intensified concerns about its impact on learners’ critical thinking, underscoring the need for reliable instruments to assess how students engage critically with AI-generated content. This study adapted, developed, and initially validated the Generative AI–Critical Thinking (GenAI–CrT) scale, an eight-item short-form instrument designed to capture EFL learners’ critical thinking in AI-enhanced learning contexts. Data from 233 Vietnamese undergraduates and graduates underwent exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, supporting a theoretically grounded four-factor structure comprising analytical skills, logical reasoning, evidence evaluation, and open-mindedness. The scale demonstrated excellent model fit (χ²(14) = 23.49, …

Integrating Digital Tools To Foster Soft Skills In Vocational Education: A Flipped Classroom Approach In China, Shanshan Wu, Renee Shiun Yee Chew, Yanhua Bi, Hui Jin

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Changes in the global demand for labor have highlighted the need for vocational education and training (VET) systems to develop not only technical skills but also soft skills like critical thinking, communication, and adaptability. This research investigates the use of digital technologies in a flipped classroom (FC) model and their impact on the development of soft skills in vocational students with particular attention to the growing VET ecosystem in China. With data gathered from a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 270 students from a Chinese vocational college, the research seeks to assess the impact of specific digital tools, such as video …

Evaluating Artificial Intelligence Language Tools In English Language Learning For Flight Attendant Learners, Qianying Pu, Amelia Binti Alias, Khairul Azhar Bin Jamaludin

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study analyzes AI language tools aiding English learning for aspiring flight attendants, focusing on fluency, pronunciation, and communication skills. Considering the aviation industry’s very high language requirements, this research examines how AI language tools help flight attendants master English and improve their speech and pronunciation.  A qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews was adopted for the present study with flight attendants and aviation English educators. The study highlights major themes such as Increased Confidence through Repetition and Feedback, Pronunciation Improvement Enabled by an AI-specific feature, Pedagogical Gaps and Instructor Apathy, and Limitations in Contextual Appropriateness. This study concludes that …

Vol 19 Issue 1 Table Of Contents

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Table of Contents

Teacher-Guided Video Instruction For Dance Appreciation: A Design-Based Research Study, Cuiqing Meng, Tiantian Zhou

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Video is widely used in dance appreciation courses; however, unguided viewing often leads to passive observation rather than analytical understanding. Grounded in multimedia learning theory and instructional scaffolding, this study employed a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach to develop and evaluate a teacher-guided video instructional model in a dance appreciation course in a Chinese university. The DBR process involved iterative phases of design, implementation, analysis, and refinement within an authentic classroom context. A convenience sample of 23 undergraduate dance majors participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire consisting of Likert-scale items and open-ended responses. Quantitative data were …

Ethical Dilemmas Of Generative Ai In Education And Their Implications For Sdg 4: A Systematic Review From A Global And Inclusive Perspective, Eva García-Beltrán

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, examines the ethical dilemmas associated with the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) in education and analyses their implications for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), with a focus on inclusive and equitable quality education. The review draws on 24 peer-reviewed studies published between December 2022 and December 2024, covering diverse educational levels and geographical contexts, with a predominance of Global North perspectives and limited representation from the Global South. The analysis reveals four primary themes: academic integrity, algorithmic equity, data privacy, and the potential contribution of …

Exploring Teachers’ Perceptions Towards Using Ict With Dialogic Teaching In The Primary Science Classroom In Saudi Arabia, Yousef Alharbi, Sue Johnston-Wilder

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study examines the implications of teachers’ perceptions of using ICT to support dialogic teaching in primary science classrooms in Saudi Arabia. It employed questionnaires distributed electronically to science teachers working in state primary schools in Riyadh, and 305 completed responses were analyzed using SPSS. The majority were found to implement a variety of activities to support dialogue and to use several ICT tools in their science lessons. In addition, most teachers reported positive attitudes toward ICT, dialogic teaching, and ICT-supported dialogic teaching in science lessons. However, the results indicated that some teachers currently adopt a dominant role in dialogue …

Application Of Artificial Intelligence In Case-Based Teaching: A Qualitative Study In Mba Education, Tianjiao Xu, Mohd Nazir Bin Zabit

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study examines the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into case-based teaching (CBT) within Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs in China, amidst the rapid digital transition in higher education. Guided by the Context–Input–Process–Product (CIPP) evaluation framework, the study adopted a qualitative design and conducted semi-structured interviews with five instructors from three core MBA courses. The findings indicate that AI enhanced classroom interaction and reduced teachers’ workload by supporting real-time feedback and dynamic discussion processes. Institutional support, including teacher training, digital infrastructure, and technical assistance, was recognized as a vital facilitator of effective implementation. Despite its various benefits, the study …

Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education: How Educators’ Perception, Readiness, And Well-Being Shape Performance, Fatimah Pohan, Dicky Aprillo Siregar, Muhammad Bangun Siregar

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education, but its effectiveness depends on how educators perceive, adopt, and psychologically respond to the technology. This study examines the effects of educators’ perception of AI and AI adoption on self-reported educators’ performance through AI readiness and psychological well-being. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, Readiness for Change Theory, and the Job Demands–Resources framework, the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 121 educators at private higher education institutions in North Sumatra, Indonesia, using purposive sampling of active educators. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. …

An Autoethnography Of A Scholar Practitioner: Applying Social-Emotional Learning In A Math Classroom Through A Feminist Lens, Resha Layla Hissen

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Math anxiety occurs when individuals experience fear and stress while engaging in mathematical tasks (Lopez-Ramírez et al., 2025). While math anxiety is often examined through its impact on students, this autoethnography explores it through the lived experience of a Middle Eastern female mathematician and educator. Grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) and feminist theory, this study investigates how personal, cultural, and gender-related experiences of mathematical trauma have shaped the author’s pedagogical approach. By tracing a personal journey from anxiety and emotional suppression to empowerment and reflective teaching, this work highlights strategies for integrating SEL and feminist-informed practices into K-12 public school …

More Than Just Multiculturally Competent: Doctoral Student Competency And Preparedness To Work With Individuals With Disabilities, Kristen N. Dickens, Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson, Synthia Best

Georgia Educational Researcher

Phenomenological inquiry was used to interview counselor education doctoral students about their experiences and perceived competency and preparedness to counsel individuals with disabilities. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) continuous self-directed learning, (2) disability is multifaceted, misunderstood, and evolving, and (3) influential learning factors. Implications and recommendations for counselor educators and training programs are provided.

Teachers' Perspectives On Inclusive Education For Children With Special Needs, Abakah Francis, Ava-Gay Annakaye Morgan, Emmanuel Ogheneovo Sodje, Francis Dugbartey, Gabriel Lagbel, Okezie Chika Chibundu

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Inclusive education is widely recognized as a key approach to ensuring equitable access to quality education for children with special needs, requiring teachers to possess adequate knowledge, skills, and supportive resources. In the Nigerian context, particularly in private schools, gaps in teacher training, limited resources, and insufficient institutional support continue to hinder the effective implementation of inclusive education practices. This study investigates teachers' perspectives on inclusive education for children with special needs in Nigerian private schools. The primary purpose is to assess teachers' understanding of inclusive education, their familiarity with effective teaching strategies, and their preparedness to implement inclusive practices. …

An Exploration Of Academic Help-Seeking Among Postsecondary Students: Differences By Gender And Ethnicity, Stephanie Greenquist-Marlett, Linda Bol, Claire Consadine, Courtney Hill

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Students often struggle to employ effective learning and study strategies in postsecondary settings that challenge their academic success. These struggles can be amplified depending on student characteristics like gender and ethnicity. One way to improve their success is an awareness they may need help and how to most productively use this help. We sought to understand students’ patterns of help-seeking behaviors as well as whether these patterns differed by gender and ethnicity. The researcher-developed Academic Help-Seeking Inventory (AHSI) was designed to measure academic help-seeking. Participants were 249 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at two East Coast public universities. An exploratory …

Cognitive Support Apps For Students With Autism And Low-Incidence Disabilities, Isabella Salzgeber

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Preparing students for life after high school is one of the many goals teachers and parents have for their students or children. As educators, providing students with different tools to support them during and after the transition from high school is essential. There are many educational apps online, but finding apps that support a specific population of students can be difficult. Cognitive support apps, specifically for students with autism and low incidence disabilities, can be extremely useful tools for the classroom and beyond. These apps can range from basic daily reminders on a digital calendar, to apps that help students …

Classification, Service Provision, And Early Academic Skills Of Early Elementary School Students Who Received Services As A Preschool Student With A Disability, Meghan Conboy

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Youth with disabilities benefit from coordinated supports and services, particularly during early childhood when they are developing foundational abilities that will influence their developmental trajectory (Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, 2015; Sandall et al., 2005). Preschool-aged students who enter kindergarten with adequately developed pre-academic skills are more likely demonstrate high performance levels in academic domains throughout compulsory education compared to peers with low pre-academic skills (Christensen et al., 2020; Fitzpatrick, 2017; Hair et al., 2006; Tavassolie et al., 2022). However, despite the knowledge that both preschool programs and high-quality and effective early intervention benefit children across their lifetime, limited research …

Preserving Progress: Why The Dd Network Matters Now More Than Ever, Matt Wappett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.