The purpose of this quantitative, ex post facto study was to determine to what extent, if any, there were differences in ELA achievement and OSS percentages among schools with grades 3, 4, and 5 that used literacy station instruction (LSI) with students who had individualized education plans (IEP) and schools that did not use literacy station…

There has been an increasing movement to include children with disabilities in general education classrooms. However, the goal of inclusion is often not met by teachers. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory single case study was to gain insight and understanding about general education teachers' perceptions concerning the performance of…

Purpose: Many aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems require the use of an external display that is represented via a visual modality. It is critical to evaluate and understand visual-perceptual processing in individuals with disabilities who could benefit from AAC. One way to evaluate how individuals process visual…

We examined relationships between measures of adaptive behavior, cognitive ability, and autism symptom severity in 1458 preschool-aged children with autism from the Study to Explore Early Development. While publications commonly describe autistic children as "low-" or "high-functioning" based on cognitive ability, relying…

Background: Research indicates that transition-age youth with disabilities face several obstacles with regard to finding employment. However, research on the extent to which barriers and facilitators differ across disability types and contexts is lacking. Objective: The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to understand employment-related…

In recent years, the growth of learning options and the availability of distance educational experiences have presented new opportunities for students, particularly those with disabilities. The exponential growth in distance educational opportunities has brought new expectations for stakeholders - particularly parents, educators, and…

Students with disabilities, English language learners, and economically disadvantaged students need additional resources and support to succeed in school. State school funding formulas should account for those additional needs so that every school can educate all its students. Weighted, student-based funding formulas are one of the most effective…

This annual report provides information regarding students who registered with disability services at Maryland colleges and universities. To better understand higher education outcomes for students with disabilities in Maryland, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Disabilities and in…

Maryland law allows districts to apply exclusionary approaches to unexcused absences. Exclusionary practices can include removing students from the classroom and preventing students from getting credit for completed work. This report examines how long-standing policies and practices of the truancy system--the application of the unexcused absence…

The primary goal of public education systems is to have students graduate from high school with a diploma prepared to enter college or the workforce. Meeting that goal for all students has long been a challenge for schools across the county. The graduation rate for all Maryland students was 87%, but for students with disabilities, the graduation…

This study focuses on the stories shared by three young adults under the age of 30who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an intellectual disability(ID). These young adults reflected on their transition from school to adult service options, including their experience with careers, relationships, and community supports. This study…

Co-teaching is an approach to inclusive education that has become important to the academic and behavioral successes of students with disabilities. However, inclusive elementary school teachers often face numerous challenges to co-teaching, including a lack of adequate training, poor collaborations between general and special education teachers,…

Astronomy, a captivating field that draws upon science, mathematics, and engineering, has traditionally relied on visual representations to convey the wonders of the cosmos. While this approach effectively engages the sighted population, the use of imagery can exclude individuals with blindness or visual impairment (B/VI). Astronomical research is…

Today, there is a reform in education around the world. The new and advanced technologies brought to our lives by the 21st century and frequently used in our daily lives are now being used for education. They start to come up with different practices in classrooms and schools (Higher Education in Digital Age, 2016). Today, individualized learning…

This annual report provides information regarding students who registered with disability services at Maryland colleges and universities. To better understand higher education outcomes for students with disabilities in Maryland, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Disabilities and in…