Phenomenology, as both a philosophy and a research method, is utilized to comprehend and interpret lived experiences. Researchers frequently employ phenomenological methodologies to discern the essence, or core meaning, of shared experiences associated with specific phenomena. This case study delineates the advantages and challenges of using this…

Most students with complex support needs are taught in separate special education classrooms; one reason is teams that inappropriately use the intensity of support needs as the basis for placement in more restrictive placements. This study used Bayesian multilevel modeling to determine whether the intensity of student support needs predicted…

Although transition services for individuals with intellectual disability (ID) in Saudi Arabia are required by special education law and regulations, no literature synthesizes peer-reviewed studies focused on transition services for individuals with ID in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to describe the…

Nearly 1 million students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) live in rural communities in the United States and, to date, no reviews have examined the transition literature related to supporting students in rural settings. The purpose of this review was to examine transition-related functional skill interventions conducted in rural…

The present document reports a qualitative study that examined the perceptions of parents and guardians of students with emotional and/or behavioral disabilities (EBD) regarding (a) obtaining special education services for their child, (b) the IEP process and implementation, and (c) home-school collaboration and partnerships. Ten participants from…

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are used to document the needs of students with disabilities and outline provisions with which to support access and inclusion in educational settings. However, often the programs focus on students' specific needs rather than giving agency to students or considering how wider ecosystems impacts students'…

Despite having signed most international conventions and enacted numerous national legislations related to inclusive education (IE), the Yemen's educational system still faces many problems and barriers that hinder the success of IE programs. This study aims to investigate policies, practices, and barriers of IE for students with disabilities…

The third edition of the Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers is intended to be used as a guide, a resource, and a reference. Revised and updated keeping in mind the challenges that new special educators face, its content reflects what we believe to be the most essential information to support you, the new special education teacher,…

Legislative mandates dictate that students with disabilities are provided instruction, services, and supports needed to progress in school (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA] Part B, 2004) which can be in the form of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) for children three and under, and…

The U.S. law governing special education, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), requires that students with disabilities be provided a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). However, given the interpretive latitude within the law and the wide discrepancy in how this law is applied,…

Students with extensive support needs (ESN) have an increased risk of engaging in challenging behavior due to a range of factors, including communication and health needs common among this student population. When students engage in behaviors that impede learning, school teams organize support across social and emotional domains to ensure access…

Early intervention (EI) plays a crucial role in supporting infants and toddlers with developmental needs and helping families understand how to meet their child's needs. However, once a child reaches the age of three, these services come to an end and families must transition to school services. Surprisingly, there is a lack of research focusing…

Family-educator collaboration results in enhanced outcomes among educators, families, and, most importantly, students with disabilities. Collaboration of this nature, however, does not always occur for many reasons, including tension that arises when family and educator microcultures differ and result in communication breakdowns. Reflexivity is…

The Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) section in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) is critical for aligning educational goals with students' current capabilities and needs. However, inconsistencies and legal deficiencies in PLAAFP statements persist due to inadequate data collection and fragmented…

The purpose of this study was to examine responses from U.S. high school students with (n = 356) and without (n = 1,599) an Individualized Education Program (IEP) on 11 independent living skills (ILS) items taken from a broader college and career readiness assessment. Results indicated significant differences in ILS proficiency based on IEP…