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…

In Ethiopia, there is low enrollment of children and youth with disabilities in the education system. Lack of access to early childhood, primary, and secondary education can reinforce cycles of poverty, limiting access to future employment opportunities and opportunities for independent living. Moreover, with children with disabilities out of…

The transition from university education to daily work at school is recognised as a significant challenge for teachers and special education teachers, termed 'reality shock'. This study investigates the role of mentalising -- the capacity to perceive and interpret behaviour based on intentional mental states -- and teaching-related self-efficacy…

The purpose of this study was to explore secondary choral educators' perceptions on preparing and instructing students with disabilities. Employing semi-structured interviews and analysis of educators' experiences (Creswell, 2018; Grimsby & Armes, 2023; Merriam & Tisdell, 2016), this research sheds light on participants' perceptions of…

High levels of parenting stress have been detected in mothers of children with Autism (ASD) and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comparing with mothers of typically developing (TD) children. The current study explored the implications of social support (confidant and affective support) and child characteristics…

In the last reauthorization of the U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), families of individuals with disabilities provided less than 4% of the public comments. Given that families are equal partners in the decision-making process for students with disabilities, it is critical to understand their suggestions for IDEA. To this…

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education for all children, particularly for children with disabilities. Many preschools closed, offered distance learning or nothing at all, or operated in a hybrid format. We examined the impact of enrollment on young children's social and emotional adjustment for children with and without disabilities, as well as…

Universal design for learning (UDL) is a pedagogical framework intended to promote accessibility and equity in learning environments, especially for students with disabilities. In UDL, instructors provide optionality and flexibility in the learning environment for representation, engagement, and expression, rather than expecting the learner to…

This Spotlight explores the dynamic and evolving world of school choice, focusing on charter schools and private school choice programs. Delve into proposed federal initiatives, how charters are improving experiences for students with disabilities, and a leading advocate's reflections on the movement's evolution. Examine research on public funds…

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…

School exclusion forms part of the processes that can increase young people's risk of offending and involvement in exploitation and harm. However, little is known about the education experiences of young people impacted by harm, such as child sexual and criminal exploitation. This paper presents findings from a survey with 17 children's and…

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…

Technology integration throughout educator preparation programs is an essential component that allows pre-service teachers to learn how to better facilitate and become proficient in pedagogical practices that can enhance teaching skills to support students with varied abilities. One approach to assisting pre-service teachers develop teaching…

Background: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) recognizes communication accessibility as a fundamental human right. Communication plays a key role in facilitating belonging, sharing and engaging with communities, allowing individuals to connect and forge relationships. Communication is fundamental to…

Advances in comprehensive community-based early childhood systems require sophisticated partnerships among numerous constituencies including health, education, human services, and parent groups. Considered here is the potential for early childhood inclusive practices based on a commonly shared developmental framework to facilitate those…