This research study explored the perceptions of paraprofessionals regarding their ability to work successfully with students with disabilities, as well as explored paraprofessionals' feelings about collaborative working relationships with supervising teachers. Extant research showed that in a variety of special education programs,…

Upon graduation from an undergraduate institution, engineering graduates are expected to have a baselevel skill in technical skills related to their discipline. Teaching technical skills comes naturally to engineering programs as the conceptual understanding of the material form the foundation of engineering ability. However, engineering graduates…

This mixed-methods phenomenological study examined elements that impact Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members in supporting placement for students with disabilities (SWD) in inclusive early childhood education programs. Best practices in education and federal law stipulate that schools educate SWD in settings as close to general…

A changing landscape in youth sports and educational institutions has resulted in a growing number of high school student-athletes being coached by adults who do not work in the schools they attend. This study provides a foundational understanding of the relationship between in-building coaches, hereafter referred to as educator-coaches, and their…

In this exploratory mixed-methods case study, I examined 24 participating principals' perceptions of using implementation science to deploy Inclusive Learning Communities (ILC) in 33 Wisconsin schools participating in a Research-to-Practice Inclusive Communities (RPIC) project. I found evidence that ILC were supported by a majority of…

The manufacturing industry is crucial to the United States economy, constituting more than 10% of the gross domestic product (National Association of Manufacturing [NAM], 2022). However, the sector faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled labor and underrepresentation of women, which threaten its sustainability (NAM, 2023). Various…

A collaborative and inclusive Individualized Education Program (IEP) results in higher achievement for students, therefore, there is a societal need to better understand parent perspectives regarding this process. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how parents on an IEP team describe the influence of the four…

Children who develop a negative student self-concept are more likely to disengage from school and this disengagement can lead them to eventually drop out. This study was designed to examine the experiences of an instructor-inclusive team tasked with using a logic model to identify a systemic problem that negatively impacted students and led them…

Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (EBDs) are often pushed out of the least restrictive schooling environment due to schools' inability to meet their unique learning needs (OSEP, 2020). School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) is a research-based framework for helping school teams establish social and…

Interpersonal differences in the workplace and a lack of competitive employment opportunities contributed to a high unemployment rate for adults with autism. A small group of innovative organizations implemented autism employment programs that placed adults with autism in competitive roles effectively. The success of the programs, launched by…

Implementing organizational change within complex organizations involves responding to external forces that impact business operations. Leaders guide their organizations through planned change processes by implementing strategic initiatives that affect the entire organization, impact business operations, and influence organizational values (Nadler…

Implementing organizational change within complex organizations involves responding to external forces that impact business operations. Leaders guide their organizations through planned change processes by implementing strategic initiatives that affect the entire organization, impact business operations, and influence organizational values (Nadler…

Implementing organizational change within complex organizations involves responding to external forces that impact business operations. Leaders guide their organizations through planned change processes by implementing strategic initiatives that affect the entire organization, impact business operations, and influence organizational values (Nadler…

Implementing organizational change within complex organizations involves responding to external forces that impact business operations. Leaders guide their organizations through planned change processes by implementing strategic initiatives that affect the entire organization, impact business operations, and influence organizational values (Nadler…

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative case study is to understand coaches' observations of how non-disabled students perceive disabled students, and the relationships between individuals of each population at a large public school setting using the inclusive sports program, Special Olympics Unified Sports. Methodology: A qualitative approach…