Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Comparing Social Media Platforms For Recruiting Special Education Teachers In A High-Need Area, Eric Landers, Caitlin Criss, Kathryn L. Haughney, Cynthia C. Massey, Stephanie Devine, Karin Fisher

Georgia Educational Researcher

New pathways are needed to recruit high-quality special education graduates to meet the urgent teacher shortage. As a result, the researchers were awarded a grant from the CEEDAR Technical Assistance Center at the University of Florida to conduct a pilot study on special education teacher recruitment. The pilot study examined the correlation of geofencing social media targeting with applications received for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in the Southeastern U.S. Three groups were targeted (a) likely to have a bachelor’s degree, (b) likely to be associated with a targeted postal code, or (c) teacher candidates with a …

Exploring Collaboration In Interdisciplinary Ei/Ecse Programs: A Qualitative Study On Service Provider Preparation, Meagan Dayton

Theses and Dissertations

Interdisciplinary preparation is critical for early childhood special education professionals, yet few programs are designed to support such collaboration across disciplines. This study aimed to explore how interdisciplinary EI/ECSE preparation programs support collaboration. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) How are program components designed to support the development of collaboration skills? (2) What is the student experience of collaboration in the program? (3) What connections exist between program components, student experiences, and the development of collaboration skills? Using a qualitative multiple-case study approach grounded in ecological systems theory, data were collected from program documents and interviews …

Empowering Futures Together: The Role Of Emotional Intelligence In Postsecondary Outcomes For Young Adults With Autism, Olivia Bliss

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Autistic young adults are disproportionately excluded from postsecondary education and employment opportunities, with significantly lower rates of college completion and higher levels of unemployment than their non-disabled peers. While social and emotional learning (SEL) has been widely promoted as a vehicle for student success, research on how emotional intelligence (EQ) shapes the postsecondary experiences of neurodivergent individuals remains limited. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study explores how emotional intelligence competencies influence postsecondary outcomes and satisfaction among autistic young adults. Participants completed the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Assessment (SEI), and their results were analyzed alongside demographic and outcome data. The second …

Perceptions Of Communication And Collaboration Between Special Education And Career And Technical Education Teachers, Alexander Novickoff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the communication and collaboration between Local Education Agency’s (LEA) special education staff and Career and Technical Center (CTC) staff in supporting students with disabilities (SWD). Given the critical role of effective interagency communication in providing comprehensive support to SWD, this study seeks to identify the perceptions, methods, and frequencies of communication between these entities. The research is set within the context of non-comprehensive CTCs in Pennsylvania, where students split their time between their home schools and regional CTCs. Through a quantitative approach, consisting of a detailed survey distributed to both LEA and CTC staff, this study examines …

Factors Affecting Involvement Of Parents Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Saudi Elementary Schools, Mohammed Alyahya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research explores the factors that influence parental involvement in school children with learning disabilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Understanding these factors is crucial, as parental involvement is widely recognized as essential for the academic success of children, particularly those with learning disabilities. This study used a quantitative approach to collect data from parents of students with learning disabilities, including parents' age, gender, income, employment status, and parental beliefs (responsibilities and capabilities). The findings reveal that parental beliefs regarding their responsibilities towards their child's education are the only significant predictor of parental involvement. In contrast, other variables, including age, gender, …

Application Of Peer-Mediated Instruction And Intervention (Pmii) To Enhance Social Interaction Skills In Early Elementary-Level Saudi Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) In An Inclusion Setting, Inam Alghamdi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In Saudi Arabia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise, and the government is committed to improving nationwide special education services through legislative measures aimed at enhancing the flexibility of inclusion for students with ASD within school settings. However, students with ASD often encounter social challenges, especially in their interactions with peers. This increasing trend underscores the importance of implementing effective strategies to foster the social skills of these students. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is one approach that can assist in delivering services to students with ASD, proving essential for their social development. Nonetheless, limited research has been conducted on …

Neuroqueering As Culturally Sustaining Practice, Nathan Hughes, Meaghan Krazinski

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

This article explores how neuroqueering can be a complementary component to culturally-sustaining practices (Paris & Alim, 2014), and explores how culturally sustaining frameworks can affirm neurodiversity. Issues such as criminalization of Autistic people of color, and implications of diagnosis disparities and barriers to receiving services are well known (Kearl, 2021). As Gordon (2021) notes, Centering Autistic culture (#BlackAutisticJoy) and ways of being is an important part of affirming Autistic students' identities. Culturally sustaining practices (Paris & Alim, 2014) that seek to provide supportive classroom spaces that affirm students’ culture and identity must also include attention to …

Stigma In Special Education Services With Student Focused Solutions, Deion Heinen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Stigma can impact groups in many different ways. Special education students have endured stigma and the effects of this stigma for decades as proven by years of research. However, student focused solutions have been lacking in the literature and this is critical to give our educators tools to use in order to promote a positive learning environment in their classroom. While in this study, stigma was not proven in students that I currently teach that have IEPs or receive intervention services it was indicated that students rate themselves lower than general education students about how they perceive school. While more …

An Overview Of The Behaviors That Can Occur For Special Education Teachers And Speech-Language Pathologists In The Absence Of Communication Devices To Assist Students With Developmental Disabilities, Katie Nold

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this project was to research communication devices used in unique education settings with students with developmental disabilities, how the devices were accessed, and the benefits of these devices, as noted by the special education teachers and speech-language pathologists who worked with the students with developmental disabilities.The use of iPads in educational settings has proven particularly beneficial for teachers and students with developmental disabilities, especially those requiring alternative augmented and alternative communication (AAC) methods. According to Davidovich and Yavich (2019), these devices facilitate communication between teachers and students, fostering a more interactive and engaging learning environment.

By incorporating …

A Phenomenological Study Examining The Methods Of Elementary Special Education And General Education Co-Teachers Who Foster The Use Of Behavioral Management Strategies For Students With Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Tanekal White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the methods and strategies that special education and general education co-teachers use to foster behavioral management for students with emotional behavior disorders (EBD) in the interrelated resource, inclusive co-taught, and EBD self-contained settings. The theories guiding this study are Bandura’s self-efficacy theory (SET) and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (SCT). Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy helped explore teachers’ effectiveness in instilling behavioral and instructional strategies, that induce success for students with EBD. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was used to examine the importance of students with EBD being educated alternative ways that ensures compensation for unwanted …

Understanding Special Education Teachers’ Perspectives On The Least Restrictive Environment: A Collective Case Study, Taylor M. Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand how special education teachers interpret and navigate the concept of the least restrictive environment (LRE) standard in providing educational support for students with intellectual disabilities and autism. The guiding theories for this study were behaviorism and social cognitive theory. These theories play a vital role in highlighting teacher efficacy skills and learned behavior, which are directly correlated to decision-making. The central research question for this study was: how do special education teachers interpret and navigate the concept of the LRE in providing educational support for students with intellectual disabilities and …

Comparing The School Engagement Of Middle And High School Special Education Students Enrolled In School-Based Mental Health Services, Elizabeth Anne Mcphearson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a difference in student engagement scores amongst middle and high school special education students who are or are not utilizing school-based mental health services (SBMHS). To continue improvements in the effectiveness of school-based mental health services and to assist students in personal behavior management and school engagement, the impact of mental health services must be understood. The study participants were drawn from a convenience sample of middle and high school special education students participating in school-based mental health services located in Minnesota during the 2023-2024 school year. …

Comprehensive Guide For Cte Teachers: Implementing Functional Behavioral Assessments And Individualized Behavior Support Plans For Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Hannah Martinez-Davenport, Debra Heban, Dawn Sandt

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

The training and requirements for initial licensure of Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers exhibit considerable variation across states, potentially resulting in a limited familiarity with high-impact special education practices among CTE educators. Two critical practices within this domain are the conduct of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and the design of Individualized Behavior Support Plans (IBSPs). The FBA process entails a thorough, team-based approach to data collection and analysis aimed at identifying the underlying causes of behaviors that impede a student with a disability from achieving academic, social, emotional, and vocational objectives. Based on the insights derived from the FBA, …

Leadership In Early Childhood Special Education, Kelly Ramirez

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to identify what early childhood special education (ECSE) teachers describe as essential knowledge and skills that experienced principals need to know and be able to do to support the three elements of the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders (CPSEL) of Standard 2, Instructional Leadership. Element A: Professional Learning; Element B, Curriculum and Instruction; Element C: Assessment and Accountability.

Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological study identified 12 ECSE teachers who described the essential knowledge and skills that experienced principals need to know and be able to do to support the CPSEL standards. …

Special Education Teachers' Perspective On Burnout When Legal Counsel Is Part Of The Iep Team: A Phenomenological Study, Erin M. Squibb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand teacher perceptions of special education teacher burnout rates when legal counsel or parent advocates are Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members in public schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The two theories guiding this study are the social cognitive theory and the job demands-resources model. Special education teachers are leaving the field at an alarming rate. It is essential to understand burnout specifically related to special education teachers. This study determined how fourteen special educators with varying years of teaching experience described their experience when an advocate or legal counsel was …

Compassion Fatigue: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Public School Special Education Teachers, Linnea Tilley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of public school special education teachers who have experienced or are experiencing compassion fatigue. The theory guiding this study was the self-determination theory, as it explains how individuals are motivated by competence, relatedness, and autonomy and aligns with the topic of compassion fatigue. The central research question of the study was, what are the lived experiences of public school special education teachers who have experienced or are experiencing compassion fatigue? The study used a transcendental phenomenological study design. Individual interviews, focus groups, and artifacts were used to …

Exploring Job Demands That Increase Burnout Rates Among Secondary, Public, Interrelated Special Education Teachers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Wendy M. Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology is to understand the experiences of secondary, interrelated, public-school teachers in Georgia and their job demands and job resources that affect the development of burnout syndrome. There are two theories guiding this study: the burnout theory and the job demands-resources theory. These theories work together to frame understanding and guide the research questions for this phenomenological study. The burnout theory lays the foundation for identifying the characteristics of burnout syndrome while the job demands-resources theory allows us to identify specific characteristics of the job that can increase or decrease the likelihood of special education …

Exploring The Perceptions And Attitudes Of Teacher Effectiveness Regarding Student Achievement In An Inclusive Classroom Environment: A Phenomenology, Rhonda Zellner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes of teachers regarding their effectiveness in meeting the needs of students in an inclusive classroom environment. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which applies to teachers’ perceptions and attitudes in teaching in an inclusive classroom setting. The central research question for this study was: What are teachers’ perceptions and attitudes toward teaching students with special educational needs in an inclusive classroom environment? The research questions addressed teachers’ perceptions regarding their effectiveness and ability to meet the needs of students in an inclusive classroom …

Language Usage In The Autism Community, Katherine Slane

Honors Projects

This project aims to answer the question, "When presented with a Content Acquisition Podcast on language in the disability community, how will participants' answers change from their Pre-Quiz scores to their Post-Quiz scores?"

Benefits Of Multisensory Rooms In Schools To Control Behaviors In Children With Disabilities, Kye Smith, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the benefits of implementing multisensory rooms in schools to manage challenging behaviors in children with disabilities. Conducted at the Barack and Michelle Obama Ninth Grade Center in Lancaster, TX, the program involved participants aged 13-15 diagnosed with disabilities. A comprehensive needs assessment identified gaps in behavior management and overstimulation challenges. The program was designed using evidence-based strategies, including the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, and incorporated techniques such as the Take Five Breathing Strategy, deep pressure input, chair yoga, and meditation.

Through pre- and post-surveys with students, parents, and teachers, the study evaluated the program's impact on functional independence …

Problem Behavior In Schools: The Impact, And A Guide For Intervention, Karlie Marie Schulte

Masters Projects

Problem behavior often disrupts the completion of scheduled activities throughout the school day. This project reviews research findings explaining the impact of problem behaviors on the individual exhibiting the behavior, the student’s peers, and how the teacher that supports the student is impacted. Background on problem behavior is provided through explaining the “functions” of behavior. Additionally, ways to lessen the impact of problem behaviors are discussed including instructional strategies, positive behavior supports (PBS), a positive teacher and student relationship, and educator mindset. The project serves as a guide for educators looking to improve practices in their classroom to decrease problem …

Evaluation Of An Instructional Sequence To Promote The Emergence Of Convergent Intraverbals In Children With Autism, Jesika Woodard

Theses

Skinner (1957) defined intraverbal as a type of verbal behavior in which the

response form has no point-to-point correspondence with its verbal stimulus and is

followed by generalized conditioned reinforcement. Verbal behavior can be influenced

by multiple controlling variables, with convergent and divergent control being two

distinct types of this influence. In convergent intraverbals, multiple components of

antecedent verbal stimuli control a specific verbal response of the speaker. An example of

an intraverbal response under convergent control may be "banana" when asked, "What is

a fruit that is yellow?" De Souza et al. (2019) evaluated the effects of teaching …

Applied Behavior Analysis, Scerts Model, And Daily Life Therapy: A Continuum For Teaching Students With Severe Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emmalee M. Schepis

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This project analyzed the continuum of philosophical interventions used to support students with severe autism. Project activities included reviews of program websites and documentation, site visits to each private residential school program, and focus group interviews conducted with teachers from each school. These data sources created a basis for analysis and a variety of conclusions to describe the contrasting philosophical approaches employed by each program. The summative analysis of the project activities provided greater understanding of the complex continuum of philosophical intervention strategies designed to support students with ASD.

Front Matter - Jaepl - Volume 29, Wendy Ryden

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Front Matter. List of Board of Directors and List of Editors.

Introduction: The Confusion Of In-Between, Wendy Ryden

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Introduction to Volume 29 of JAEPL. The Confusion of In-Between by JAEPL Editor, Wendy Ryden.

Remembering James Moffett: An Interview And Dialogue With Sondra Perl, Sheridan Blau, Sondra Perl

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Teachers reading these descriptions of Moffett’s teaching are likely to find in them models they too will be inspired to adapt for use in their own writing classrooms, wherever they teach.

Moffett's Corner Introduction, Stephen Lafer, Jonathan M. Marine

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

In this special edition of Moffett’s Corner, Sheridan Blau, former Professor of Practice in the teaching of English at Teachers College, Columbia University interviews the noted composition theorist Sondra Perl in order to solicit her memories of the late James Moffett.

Scholarship As A Source Of Innovation/Inspiration, Curtis Porter

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Introduction to Book Reviews: Scholarship as a Source of Innovation/Inspiration

Creative Reading: Using Poetic Inquiry In Research And Teaching, Clancy Ratliff, Abdullah Al Musayeb, Barja Islam, Mithila Mumtaz, Rosol Otear, Simon Richard, Noah Smith, Nuzhat Tarannum, Allyssa Veney

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Creative Reading: Using Poetic Inquiry in Research and Teaching:

Essay and Poetry.

Strom, Kathryn J. And Adrian D. Martin. Becoming-Teacher: A Rhizomatic Look At First-Year Teaching. Sense Publishers, 2017, 138 Pages., Iwona Ionescu

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Becoming-Teacher: A Rhizomatic Look at First-Year Teaching - A Review