Self-determination is a predictor of postschool success. The importance of self-determination instruction for students with and without disabilities is increasingly being recognized. The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) has been implemented in various settings and at various intensities with all students. Researchers have…

This study leveraged the knowledge and experiences of youth with disabilities, their families, and transition stakeholders to model how the frequency of family engagement activities and services and employment preparation activities and services predict the frequency of youth development activities and services. This information was obtained…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004) allows alternate pathways for school districts to identify and classify students with a specific learning disability (SLD). Response to Intervention (RtI) is one of the frameworks schools can use when eliminating the use of the discrepancy model. The premise of RtI posits that…

This study used the standard setting to establish cutscores for the fidelity of implementation of an evidence-based intervention, the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) designed to enhance goal-directed actions in secondary students with and without disabilities. Cutscores were then applied to fidelity data from a large,…

This study used standards setting to establish cutscores for the fidelity of implementation of an evidence-based intervention, the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction, designed to enhance goal-directed actions in secondary students with and without disabilities. Cutscores were then applied to a fidelity data from a large, randomized…

Co-teaching is a widely used service delivery model for special education with significant variability in implementation. In this exploratory study, we examine a three-element model for instruction in co-teaching that is meant to reduce this variability and evaluate its implementation by three secondary co-teaching teams. Changes in teacher…

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) have been increasingly implemented in schools since the re-authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Despite researchers' efforts to identify elements of MTSS--including evidence-based practices, leadership and communication systems and…

Education studies have repeatedly emphasized the crucial contribution of family-school-community partnership to children's academic and educational success, as well as to improving organizations and systems. Such partnership becomes even more complex when the child presents needs in several areas of development. In this context, it is essential…

Effective professional development is critical for improving implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in special education. The present systematic review sought to gather evidence exploring the effects and key components of in-service special education teacher training in EBPs. This review identifies six essential components of training…

We report the implementation of a new framework supporting teacher practice for inclusion of children with disabilities in mainstream classrooms. Eight schools in one Scottish authority took part. Questionnaire, focus group, and interview data were gathered. Results indicated that the framework was well-received and provided a useful resource for…

Existing approaches for training paraeducators rely heavily on intensive one-to-one coaching and may not be feasible in practice. In this study, we test a tiered training model in which all paraeducators first received group training, and then coaching was provided only for the subset who did not meet performance criteria after group training.…

The purpose of this study was to examine self-determination outcome data in the year following a one-year cluster randomized controlled trial (C-RCT) comparing the impacts of a "Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction" (SDLMI) only condition to a SDLMI + "Whose Future Is It?" (SDLMI + WF) condition. Using multilevel…

Students with emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBD) endure adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and other traumatic experiences at higher rates than their non-disabled peers. Staff who work with these students can experience compassion fatigue, contributing to staff attrition and burnout. Trauma-informed care practices show promise in…

This study explored teacher perceptions of their ability to implement the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) with fidelity and the impact of these perceptions on student self-determination outcomes on the Self-Determination Inventory: Student Report (SDI:SR). Using a piece-wise growth model, we found stability in teacher…

There are several effective treatment methods and evidence based practices (EBP) for teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The use of EBPs is federally mandated, but it is often overwhelming for teachers to identify and implement available best practices with fidelity in the absence of ongoing training and support (Alexander,…