This mixed-methods phenomenological study examined elements that impact Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members in supporting placement for students with disabilities (SWD) in inclusive early childhood education programs. Best practices in education and federal law stipulate that schools educate SWD in settings as close to general…

The purpose of this quantitative correlational-predictive study was to assess if and to what extent the Proportion of IEP Students, Years of Teaching Experience, and Grade Level Taught in an inclusion classroom, individually and combined, predict Job Satisfaction among general education teachers who teach in an inclusion classroom in the United…

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to explore perceptions of teachers of the deaf (TOD) about services delivered to students with hearing loss, how those services impact the deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) students' transition post-high school, and what training supports need to be provided to teachers so they can assist…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine online educators' perspectives on implementing individualized education plans for English Language Learners with disabilities through online instruction. The current study included seven Kindergarten through fifth-grade educators across the. Out of the seven educators, two were…

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to examine how novice special education teachers perceive administrative support during the first five years of teaching. This study was guided by the Cooperrider's appreciative inquiry (AI), and the Critical Systems theory (CST) conceptual framework. Purposeful sampling was used to select…

The least restrictive environment (LRE) is the educational placement determined necessary for obtaining maximum educational benefits. The individualized education program (IEP) team determines the LRE after analyzing the student's academic and behavioral data and assessing the student's unique needs. Specific special educational labels may produce…

Chronic health conditions (CHCs) impact approximately 20% of youth under the age of 18 years. Youth with CHCs are at a greater risk for poor outcomes across domains of development including behavioral, academic, cognitive, physical, and social-emotional than peers without CHCs. Advances in medical treatments make it possible for youth with CHCs to…

The number of students identified as having a disability and requiring special education services in the United States has more than doubled since the authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. Simultaneously, public schools are experiencing a significant shortage in qualified special education teachers.…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the extent of transformational learning for teacher candidates during student teaching. This study further examined the influence of values, beliefs, role expectations, personnel, programs, life changes, and educational experiences on transformational learning during student teaching. Methodology:…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires professionals on Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams to provide family members of children with disabilities every opportunity to participate in IEP meetings. Despite this requirement, findings from qualitative and survey research suggest that many parents have reported they…

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of general education teachers and capture how they differentiate instruction for students with special needs. The study ascertained teachers' understanding and implementation of differentiated instruction for elementary level students in first through third grade. The study will add to the…

Very little research is published on teaching music to students with learning disabilities. Nevertheless, federal law mandates that instruction of such students take place in all public schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of four secondary instrumental music teachers who teach five students with learning…

Early childhood special education teachers provide instruction to young children with special needs in order to address developmental delays that have been identified through standardized tests. Educational goals and objectives are individualized and progress is measured through legally mandated standards of practice, thus positioning the teacher…

The passage of Public Law 94-142 (the Education of All Handicapped Children Act) in 1975 established the rights of children with disabilities to a public school education in the least restrictive environment. Fifteen years later, it was amended and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (PL 101-476, 1990), still intended to…