ERIC Number: ED618589
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 110
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-0856-6616-9
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Fostering Equitable Learning Opportunities for Middle School Students in Special Education by Reducing Their Discipline Disproportionality Rates
Clark, Alden
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, City University of Seattle
Students with disabilities enrolled in public schools continue to struggle to gain equitable access to learning opportunities, despite federal protections. Because of the overuse of suspensions and expulsions, researchers have indicated that students in special education are disciplined at rates 2 to 3 times that of their nondisabled counterparts. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a reduction in discipline disproportionality rates of students in special education was observable within the first 2 years of an intentional discipline reform strategy due to the implementation of the WhyTry curriculum, restorative practices philosophy, community service, and the continuation of academic supports. The summarized hypotheses for this research include: H0: After implementing an alternative-to-suspension strategy, there will be no significant change in rates of discipline disproportionality between students in special education within the first 2 years of implementation; H1: After implementing an alternative-to-suspension strategy, discipline disproportionality rates among students in special education will show a significant increase in the first 2 years of implementation; and H2: After implementing an alternative-to-suspension strategy, discipline disproportionality rates among students in special education will show a significant decrease in the first 2 years of implementation. The setting of this study was a public middle school located in southwest Washington and included a census of sixth- to eighth-grade students who had experienced school discipline. This research was designed to provide data on one school's intentional intervention and should be pertinent to school leaders, students in special education, and their families. The data analysis procedure of the study included computing descriptive statistics for central tendency and an effect size measurement to determine meaningful significance. The findings of this study include a 51% reduction of incidents resulting in students with disabilities being suspended or expelled between pre- and post-intervention data and a medium to large effect size change between all years examined. School leaders could apply similar strategies to identify and reduce discipline disproportionality rates in a school of similar demographics. One future research suggestion includes examining the success of a similar intervention if not all of the included components are implemented. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, Middle School Students, Special Education, Disproportionate Representation, Discipline, Suspension, Intervention, Program Effectiveness, Expulsion
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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