<p> Every student deserves to be educated by teachers who are culturally proficient to ensure their needs are being met within inclusive school systems. This calls for educator preparation programs to ensure teacher candidates are culturally proficient. However, this is a pedagogical shift in isolated, rural settings due to the challenges rural communities pose for cultural proficiency (Sileo, Sileo, &amp; Pierce, 2008). Modeling co-teaching and critical discourse in educator preparation allows teacher candidates to explore historical and systemic inequities of marginalized populations. Understanding these inequities can allow teacher candidates to recognize how diversity may impact the lives of various individuals and learn to honor the cultural uniqueness of others.</p><p> The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of teacher candidates within a course modeling co-teaching and critical discourse in educator preparation to capture the essence of their experiences. The conceptual framework created to guide this study centralizes co-teaching in educator preparation to model and promote critical discourse embedding critical theory and disability inquiry. This study used a phenomenology approach to obtain the essence of teacher candidates&rsquo; experiences. Participants of the study were pursuing a degree in education from a rural state college. Of the participants, 92% were female and 98% were white. To ensure the essence of teacher candidates&rsquo; experience prevailed, the researcher used a peer debriefing process and member checking to ensure validity.</p><p> Three themes emerged from the survey responses and four participant interviews. Each theme had three sub-themes that emerged as well. The first theme was a prosocial environment, with sub-themes of connectivity, multiple perspectives, and critical discourse. The second theme was vulnerability, with sub-themes of professors as change agents, self-awareness, and critical consciousness. The last theme was empowerment, with sub-themes of advocacy, pedagogical awareness, and understanding and honoring culture. Interconnections of the themes were analyzed and presented to combine the conceptual framework of the study with the findings.</p><p>

<p> Pre-service teachers (PST) clinical experiences are critical for transfering theory to practice (e.g., Brownell, Ross, Col&oacute;n, and McCallum, 2005) and these experiences require effective mentoring, coaching, and supervision from university supervisors and cooperating teachers (e.g., Leko, Brownell, Sindelar, &amp; Murphy, 2012). Yet, many special education teachers enter the field feeling under-prepared to teach effectively, especially in reading (e.g., Brownell et al., 2009). One solution is to maximize support provided by cooperating teachers (CTs).</p><p> CTs receive little or no training on how to provide mentoring, coaching, and supervision to PSTs (Gareis &amp; Grant, 2014). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of elbow coaching on the CT&rsquo;s ability to provide online, in-ear <i>e</i>Coaching to the PST during literacy based clinical experiences. Specifically, I investigated how elbow coaching influenced the CT&rsquo;s provision of online, in-ear <i>e</i>Coaching to the PST; how coaching the PSTs (i.e., in-ear <i>e</i>Coaching plus side-by-side coaching) influenced the PSTs delivery of effective reading instruction; and how coaching the PST positively influenced student outcomes (i.e., student engagement, opportunities to respond, correct responses).</p><p> Participants for this single case research design included three CT/PST dyads, and their K-1 students with and without disabilities. Social validity and procedural fidelity were measured and IOA was conducted in accord with prevailing standards. Quality standards for SCRD were met without reservation (Kratochwill et al., 2013). Data was analyzed visually based on mean, level, trend, and latency of change (Kratochwill et al., 2010), and effect size was based on Tau-U (Vannest, Parker, &amp; Gonen, 2011). Results indicated that the elbow coaching was effective in modifying CTs&rsquo; <i>e </i>Coaching behaviors, PSTs&rsquo; provision of effective reading instruction, and student opportunities to respond, correct responses, and behavioral engagement. Results also confirmed the efficacy&nbsp;of an online module plus coaching as an effective way to support CTs as they provide instructional support to PSTs, serving students with and without disabilities. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed.</p><p>

<p> This qualitative case study explored how secondary special education teachers and transition specialists perceived their collaborative efforts when transitioning students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from secondary to higher education. The theory of transition established the platform for this study. Two of the theoretical principles of situation and support were used as a lens to determine the collaborative perceptions between these two educator groups. The research questions specified educator perceptions of collaboration throughout the transition process and building collaborative relationships. The sample consisted of seven secondary special education teachers and seven transition specialists within the State of Arizona. Data collection sources the secondary transition plan document, semistructured individual interviews and two focus group sessions. Data coding procedures determined specific patterns that emerged in the analysis. A total of seven themes emerged: Collaboration ongoing, team effort, unrealistic expectations affect transition, attitude of specialists affecting student success, trust is vital to building relationships, lack of knowledge in preparing students during transition, and the importance of parental involvement throughout the transition process. The results that provided the greatest influence to the collaborative process included parental involvement and relationships, trust building between educators, continued training, provision of resources, and the development of the transition plan. The implications of this study suggested that educational organizations provide opportunities for these specialists to attend trainings for continued professional development. </p><p>

<p> There is an evidence base supporting the use of positive behavior supports in schools; however effectively and efficiently transferring these interventions into classroom settings remains a challenge. Precorrection is a highly-regarded behavior support strategy that relies on antecedent prompting to reduce problem behavior and teach socially appropriate skills. This study examined how a brief training in precorrection and praise paired with regular feedback impacted the behavior of four Title I elementary school teachers and students. As a result of the intervention, the four teachers increased use of precorrection and praise, while concomitantly reducing their use of reprimands. Limitations and suggestions for future research are provided. </p><p>

Neoliberal ideology frames the discourse of the current political rhetoric of education as an economic investment in the preparation of students to compete in a global economy. These discourses that emanate from policymakers shape the construct of schooling and control the trajectory of education in the US. As education policy becomes centralized, accountability systems are assumed to be the driver of positive educational outcomes and higher student achievement; however, the impact of these systems of accountability shape teaching practice and may be pushing students with disabilities out of the competition and violating their right to access and participate in general education. This study examined the outcomes of current educational policy on daily teaching practice and its impact on inclusive practice. In addition, it examined teachers' self-regulation as a means to adapt and remain in a regulated environment. The perspectives of beginning and experienced teachers from an urban and a rural area were analyzed through semi- structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis.

This research study uses a descriptive approach and systematic observations to examine the nature of nonverbal teacher-student interaction in a second grade inclusion classroom. Its purpose is to compare the nonverbal behaviors of children who are considered average in ability with those who are perceived as cognitively challenged, while they are engaged in regular classroom instruction in both large and small group settings. This study also examines the nonverbal behaviors of one teacher as she interacts with a select group of students within the context of a naturalistic classroom environment. The data collection involved classroom observations noting context, formal and informal discussions with the classroom teacher regarding lesson instruction, student profiles, and overall study validity and the videotaping of small and large group math lessons. For purposes of analysis, each videotape was viewed numerous times in an effort to capture the nonverbal interaction in the categories of Verbal Eye Contact, and Nonverbal Eye Focus (i.e., attending to teacher/student, attending to procedure, non-attending) in three situations: Student-teacher, Teacher-student, Student-student. Intra-observer agreement was established. The role of teacher/student proximity and teacher voice tone were addressed separately. The results indicate that the most common nonverbal behavior exhibited by both the special education students (SES) and regular education students (RES) was attending to procedure under the category of Eye Focus. The SES varied more among themselves in the verbal eye contact category, teacher eye focus and non-attending subcategories than did the (RES). Verbal eye contact and attending to student and attending to procedure in the Eye Focus category were the predominant nonverbal behaviors used by the classroom teacher. In most cases the majority of nonverbal interaction occurred between students who sat in close proximity regardless of their cognitive ability. The small group setting lent itself to greater frequencies in each of the nonverbal categories for both RES and SES. The data from this study also indicate a relationship between teacher voice tone and effective classroom management. Taking into consideration the possible nonverbal behaviors which engage all students may assist teachers as they attempt to meet the diversity in today's inclusion classroom.

The pilot study involved ten experimental and ten control mainstreamed special needs students. Three negative behaviors, known as x, y, and z behaviors from the Teacher Questionnaire, were targeted and charted, initially, on No Effect, and then on Effect Charts. Also charted were four rating areas: academic achievement, self-esteem, misdirected learning activities, and negative social behaviors, in a range from one to ten. Both groups were administered the Weinberg Screening Affective Scale Modified Form and the Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale. The experimental group were involved with a ten day mini course and workbooks and, later, teacher directed reality testing of the targeted behaviors at three different times over nonconsecutive five day period. Educators should be aware that dissonance manifested in academic dysfunction is the student's attempt to maintain consonance of his or her perceptions of failure. Academic dysfunction is based on Festinger's (1957) cognitive dissonance theory and Beck's (1979) cognitive therapy of depression. Academic dysfunction uses positive affect to reduce dysfunction and achieve consonance. Negative affect influences levels of success of middle school students. Academic dysfunction is an educationally related condition based on early childhood experiences of negative feedback by parents and significant others, and relates to the child's and the student's, success in thinking and doing. In the home, this is manifested by an inability to respond to the parent's satisfaction in parent-child relationships. The result is a lowering of self-esteem and the expectation of future failure. The condition continues in the school, manifested by non productive behavior, misdirected learning activities, and/or negative social behaviors. Amelioration is through positive affective teacher interaction with reality testing of student ability in the classroom, and a mini course which offers suggestions for study scheduling, evaluation of current school status and booklets concerned with: understanding the self, self-esteem, peer pressure, stress management, attitude, using imagination, managing time, improving personal skills, and talking about mental health. The assumption is that both home and school contribute to school failure. The school must offer failing students a means for overcoming academic dysfunction.

Statement of problem. Mainstreaming requires communication and collaboration between regular classroom teachers and special education teachers. In communicating, these teachers bring preconceived perceptions/attitudes of one another with them. Attitudes are emotionally charged ideas that lend predictability to our personalities and help us adjust to our environment. The understanding of perceptions is a first step in helping groups to accept one another. What is the relationship between mainstreaming and the acceptance of special teachers by other faculty members? There is a dearth of research in the area of attitudes/acceptance of special teachers by other teachers. This exploratory study closely examines this "first step" in the mainstreaming process. Methodology. Two sets of surveys were developed which assessed the relationship between successful mainstreaming and faculty acceptance of special education teachers. Twenty-three teachers from four elementary schools completed these surveys. Correlational research methods were used to compare variables between the surveys. Findings. It was found that more positive social acceptance/relationships between regular teachers and special teachers were associated with: (1) More positive attitudes toward special children. (2) More positive feelings on the part of regular teachers about the method in which they were selected for mainstreaming. (3) Better preparation of regular teachers for mainstreaming. (4) Higher levels of communication between these two groups of teachers. (5) More positive attitudes toward special education. Regular teachers reported that although they felt positively about the way they were selected for mainstreaming, they had negative attitudes toward their special students. High visibility of special teachers was associated with more success for mainstreamed students, more social acceptance, and more openness toward special children. Regular teachers with more special education credits were more positive about mainstreaming. However, regular classroom teachers with "regular" education credits earned beyond their master's degree had more negative attitudes toward special children. Conclusions. The findings of this study raise some significant issues including negative attitudes toward special children, poor communication and social acceptance between special teachers and regular teachers, lack of preparation, and a feeling of uncomfortableness in teaching special children. A staff development project addressing these issues is presented.

This dissertation analyzes key factors which influence the negative expectations that classroom teachers hold for certain students whom they perceive to be low achievers and whom they refer for placement in special education. An examination of bias and differentiated expectations in classrooms is conducted in two urban elementary schools and is based on the hypothesis that the children who fail are most often those who differ from their teachers in social class, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, learning style and behaviors, and gender. The first target school is identified as having a low rate (16%) of referral to special education, while the other school is identified as having a high rate (32%) of referral to special education. Twelve regular education teachers from each school complete questionnaires about their experiences with and attitudes towards low-achieving students. Each identifies successful and unsuccessful students and then describes him/herself as a learner. Student records are examined also to determine commonalties in the traits of those students referred to special education for remedial or compensatory instruction. Finally, comparisons of school philosophy and school climate are made between the two target schools. The findings of this study indicate that the misperceptions and life experiences of classroom teachers are important influences on the negative stereotyping and lowered expectations directed toward certain students. In the target schools, veteran as well as less experienced male and female teachers respond more favorably to students who resemble themselves ethnically, socioeconomically, and in learning style, and less favorably to those students who differ. Statistical significance is found when matching the learning characteristics selected by teachers to describe their successful students with learning characteristics they select when describing their own traits as learners. Of the students identified as unsuccessful and referred to special education, a disproportionate number are minority and male and are described by teachers as having problems with motivation, temperament, and need for direction. These and other reasons for referrals cited by teachers in both schools are similar and reflect poorly understood bias toward ethnic, racial, and linguistic minority children as well as misinformation about the developmental differences between boys and girls.

The loss of special education teachers is a problem for all school districts. The effects of special education teacher attrition are felt in the classrooms and by all school district personnel. The impact on student achievement can be profound, especially if the teacher leaves in the middle of a school year. This study examines the organizational factors that influenced the attrition of special education teachers in one Central Florida school district. Participation in the anonymous survey was voluntary. Invitations to participate were sent directly to 385 special education instructional personnel and distributed to all district personnel using an e-mail forum. After removing participants who did not meet the inclusion criteria, 250 completed surveys were included in the analysis. In addition to quantitative items, the survey also included open–ended items at the end of the survey. While special education instructional personnel were the focus of the study, data from general education instructional personnel were also collected for comparison. The findings indicated that the major organizational causes of attrition among exceptional education teachers were in the areas of the human resources, political and structural frames. Human resource factors included the emotional, physical, and mental toll of daily classroom responsibilities and the perceived lack of district administration support. The main structural frame factor was the lack of compensation for the extra duties that special education teachers must perform. The main political factor was the lack of time needed by the special education staff to complete assigned duties during an average school day. In addition, the symbolic frame factors suggested a lack of perceived support from the general education staff; however, respondents did not indicate that this was major factor affecting in the attrition of special education teachers in this district. The school district has implemented strategies to support teachers to meet State certification requirements, Federal mandates of being highly qualified, and with monthly district level support visits. However, based on these data, the school district needs to recognize organizational factors affecting attrition. The district should pinpoint and alleviate the daily factors that cause undue stress on the special education staff. It should also reallocate resources and personnel to provide more frequent district and school level administrative support. Additional monetary or non-monetary compensation for the extra duties or reducing the workload on the special education teachers may also reduce attrition.