As schools seek to bridge the cultural and linguistic gap between special educators and students at the intersections of learning and language, the case described in this article illustrates how educators can continue to apply one of the key tenets of special education, the strengths-based approach. The hegemony of English has become so pervasive…

The purpose of this qualitative basic interpretive study was to explore the perspective of high school special education teachers regarding the factors that support or hinder student participation in the IEP process. Data sources included semi-structured interviews, memos, documents, and electronic correspondence and were coded using Braun and…

The IDEA mandates transition planning in Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for disabled students, who are now enrolling in postsecondary education programs at higher rates than ever before. Despite this, disabled students experience significantly worse post-school outcomes than their non-disabled peers. The purpose of this mixed-methods…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how teachers describe their knowledge and experiences with the transition protocols in their building, including measurable IEP goals, goal setting, and the activities associated with their goals as they work with students with high incidence disabilities on their post-secondary…

Educator teams consisting of a general education teacher and a special education teacher were recruited to participate in a project where they used the Systematic Supports Planning Process (SSPP) to plan, implement, and monitor individualized supports for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) attending general education…

Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Plans may earn a diploma or a certificate of completion when leaving secondary education. This study examined differences in career- and work-based learning services and work experiences of students who earned a high school diploma or a certificate of completion upon exiting…

Despite the perceived value of extracurricular experience, higher education relies heavily on grade point average (GPA) as a measure of undergraduates' academic success. When used as a singular standard assessment, GPA, which is based on student progress and completion of coursework, may inadvertently steer undergraduates away from valuable…

This resource focuses on recent changes in the data sources and measurements of Part B Indicators 1 and 2. It offers a side-by-side comparison of the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) Part B Indicator measurement tables for FFY 2019 and FFY 2020-2025 to highlight relevant differences in SPP/APR reporting of graduation rate…

Due to the legal and political context and evolving understandings of critical disability theory, the landscape of special education is complex and ever changing. Special Education is therefore predisposed to be a field ripe with opportunities for conflict between families and school districts. When parents enter special education, they are…

Parent involvement in the development of an individualized education program (IEP) is a foundational tenet of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Unfortunately, mothers, the parent most likely to attend the IEP meeting, often report negative perceptions and even feelings of disillusion with the IEP process. Including mothers as…

The problem that drove this study was the need to improve the inclusive practices for high school student athletes with disabilities in a large, diverse school district. The purpose of this study was to examine how high school coaches and athletic directors provide accommodations for students with disabilities (SWD) and the perceived needs of the…

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) should include a summary of the student's current skills and needs as well as annual goals that support their progress in the general education curriculum; however, IEPs for students with complex support needs may be missing required information. We investigated IEP goals and Present Levels of Academic…

In this study, researchers aimed to examine the practices of preschool teachers in their classes for children with special needs. The research, in which interviews and documents were used, was designed using a case study, one of the qualitative research methods. Snowball sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used to determine the…

Five experienced special educators were interviewed to learn about their experiences working in a school district with a fully developed MTSS. The interviews revealed these special educators were highly supportive of tiered supports because they provide strategic and intensive interventions for students who are behind. Nonetheless, these educators…

During the 2023 Legislative Session, the Legislature considered House Bill (HB) 1479, a measure which would have prohibited isolation and further restricted restraint in public schools. While the bill did not pass, the Legislature provided the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with designated state funds to begin actualizing…