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Cultural stigma and a looming teacher deficit, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have created an increased need for special educators. Considering these issues, this research used traditional phenomenological qualitative methodologies to understand why public-school special education teachers of students with low incidence disabilities (SETs-LIDs) remained in the profession. The purpose was to better understand the lived experiences of SETs-LIDs, and it was designed as a phenomenological qualitative study. The primary research question was "What factors impact SETs-LIDs who continue to teach in special education during difficult times?" Secondary questions were (a) "What are the lived experiences of SETs-LIDs that influence their retention?" and (b) "How do SETs-LIDs cope with the challenges of their work?" Data were obtained through a demographic survey and independent interviews, which were designed to better understand why public-school SET-LIDs remain in the profession. Participants were selected based on responses to the demographic survey, and inclusion criteria included SETs-LIDs with diverse employment backgrounds. Ninety-six special educators responded to the demographic survey and 15 SET-LIDs were interviewed. Textual descriptions generated from the research were work satisfaction from relationships, intrinsic or altruistic motivation, positive administrative experiences, and external factors. Structural descriptions of the research were frustration, a desire for understanding, inequity and exclusion, and uncertainty. The "what" and "how" of individuals impacted by the difficulties of SET-LID attrition were interpreted. Participants described meaningful relationships with students and administrators as being fundamental to their retention. This research also found that SET-LIDs desired resources, understanding, appropriate professional development, and expert guidance. Implications for professional practices and future research were suggested. / Doctor of Education / School divisions have never adequately met the demand for qualified special educators. Cultural stigma and a looming teacher deficit, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have created an increased need for special educators. However, special educators are leaving the profession, and many are avoiding the working conditions in the special education field. Many are transferring to different career fields, retiring, or finding general education jobs. Considering these issues, this research used traditional phenomenological qualitative methodologies to understand why public-school special education teachers of students with low incidence disabilities (SETs-LIDs) remained in the profession. The purpose was to better understand the lived experiences of SETs-LIDs. The primary research question was "What factors impact SETs-LIDs who continue to teach in special education during difficult times?" Secondary questions were (a) "What are the lived experiences of SETs-LIDs that influence their retention?" and (b) "How do SETs-LIDs cope with the challenges of their work?" Data were obtained through a demographic survey and independent interviews, which were designed to better understand why public-school special educators remain in the profession. Ninety-six special educators responded to the demographic survey and 15 SET-LIDs were interviewed. Participants described meaningful relationships with students and administrators as being fundamental to their retention. This research also found that SET-LIDs desired resources, understanding, appropriate professional development, and expert guidance.

<p> This study explores the shared narratives of males who are African American, come from low-income families, struggled with school success, and may have been identified as needing specialized instructional services or having learning disabilities. This study includes three participants' narratives on the obstacles and supports they faced during their high school years and when transitioning beyond. It identifies shared themes of sports, reputation, and instruction, transitioning, and mentoring &mdash; including the relationship between each and how it impacted their school success.</p><p> The development of these thematic elements are related to developing networks and resources related to culture values, identities, and access to social capital. Participants ranged from 22-23 years of age, all having officially graduated from high school, transitioned to college to play sports, but failed to meet the academic requirements necessary to maintain eligibility.</p>

Thesis (EdD.)--Open University.

<p> This mixed method study examines teachers' and administrators' perceptions of what contributes to the growth of the students in the educational disabilities subgroup in reading within the context of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) mandated by NCLB in New Hampshire until June, 2013. This study researches effective reading instruction for students identified with reading disabilities, and the factors within a school that support it, that help that group become proficient in reading. Using the New England Common Assessment Program and AYP data as criteria, four schools that had made AYP in 2011 and 2012 were selected. Participants were 68 special education and regular education teachers and five administrators. Data were collected by 15 initial interviews with special educators, administrators, and reading specialists. Fifty-three classroom teachers were then surveyed. QSR NVivo analyzed qualitative data while quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS software. Analysis yielded six key factors: highly trained teachers, high expectations of success, what the district provides both in resources and organization, collaboration/communication, what to do when students don't make progress, and delivery of instruction. The study yielded a list of the most used direct instruction programs, while small group instruction in the classroom or resource room was the preferred method of instructional delivery. A framework for decision-making was suggested, which included core curriculum, programs, time x intensity, progress monitoring, and tuning-up (CPTPT).</p><p> Key Words: reading instruction, students with disabilities, elementary education, Response to Intervention.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to locate a potential funding source and write a grant to enable children with physical disabilities to become more included in their education and with their peers. An extensive literature review was performed to investigate the best way to meet these needs through the usage of assistive technology (AT) devices and how such technology can be implemented into an educational curriculum. </p><p> The Inclusion Through Assistive Technology (ITAT) program has the following goals: (1) train children and teachers on the usage of AT devises, (2) reduce children's emotional difficulties, and (3) increased the involvement of children and parents in the educational process. </p><p> The Children's Charity Fund was selected as the program's potential funder, due to its focus on the educational needs of the target population. The actual submission of the proposal was not a requirement of the thesis project. </p>

The purpose of this study was to gain deeper knowledge about the special needs of guidance significance as an aid to students based on teachers' views and perceptions.Eight teachers from three different municipalities, active in primary school and middle school have been interviewed since all have participated in and have experience with special needs tutoring. Their responses were compiled and answered the three research questions: What experiences have teachers of special education counseling? How do teachers the guidance they received from a special teacher? What effect has the special educational guidance given for the inclusive education? The result shows that the special educational tutorial helps teachers gain a deeper understanding of students in need of special support and guidance to the mission vary in scope and content. The special educational tutorial that is aimed directly at the teachers seem to have a positive effect on inclusion and a critical/dilemma perspective while the consultative guidance primarily directed towards the adaptation of educational material and allows students to walk out of the classroom to receive special education promotes exclusion and ability grouping and a compensatory perspectives. From a sociocultural perspective pointing results of the study that teachers with special education tutoring experience to students in an inclusive education contribute to each other's learning,creating meaningful for everyone involved. / Syftet med denna studie var att få djupare kunskap om den specialpedagogiska handledningens betydelse som ett stöd för elever utifrån lärares syn och uppfattningar.Åtta lärare från tre olika kommuner, verksamma på grundskolans låg- och mellanstadium har intervjuats eftersom samtliga har deltagit i och har erfarenhet av specialpedagogisk handledning. Deras svar har sammanställts och besvarat de tre forskningsfrågorna: Vilka erfarenheter har lärare av den specialpedagogiska handledningen? Hur upplever lärare den handledning de fått av specialpedagogen? Vilken effekt har den specialpedagogiska handledningen fått för den inkluderande undervisningen? Resultatet visar att den specialpedagogiska handledningen bidrar till att lärarna får en djupare förståelse för elever i behov av särskilt stöd och att handledningsuppdraget varierar i omfattning och innehåll. Den specialpedagogiska handledning som riktar sig direkt till lärarna verkar ha en positiv effekt på inkluderingen och ett kritiskt/dilemmaperspektiv medan den konsultativa handledningen främst riktas mot anpassning av läromedel och låter eleverna gå ut ur klassrummet för att få specialpedagogiskt stöd främjar exkludering och nivågruppering och ett kompensatoriskt perspektiv. Ur ett sociokulturellt perspektiv pekar studiens resultat på att lärare som fått specialpedagogisk handledning upplever att elever i en inkluderande undervisning bidrar tillvarandras lärande vilket skapar meningsfullhet för alla inblandade.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-02, Section: A, page: 0521. Adviser: Michaelene M. Ostrosky. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-95) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-02, Section: A, page: 0525. Adviser: Michaelene M. Ostrosky. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-132) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

The purpose of the study is to examine the ramifications of television programming as it applies to animated cartoon heroes as a vehicle in the perpetuation of a particular world view. Specifically, the study examines the degree of significance in the relationship between African American child viewers and an African American hero, and the relationship between African American child viewers and a European American hero as it relates to literature on children and television. The study includes African American children from two Western Massachusetts school systems. The participants were selected on the basis of: (1) being African American; (2) interest in the study; and (3) being between the ages of 8 and 13 years. The method used for collecting the data was a Likert Attitude Scale designed specifically for the study. Participants were shown two posters and were asked to make selections on the Likert Scale based on their observations. Frequency distributions were used to analyze the findings. Conclusions drawn from the study were (1) rejection of the null hypothesis in the area of a significant relationship between African American child viewers and a European American hero; and (2) acceptance of the null hypothesis in the area of a significant relationship between African American child viewers and an African American hero.