Service coordinators under Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) help families navigate the early intervention (EI) system and ensure regular communication among team members so services are aligned with family priorities and recommended EI practices. To meet the demands of service coordination, personnel entering…

This study provides a timely, qualitative exploration of the perceived efficacy of cultural competency training for both law enforcement officers and educators. It comprises 18 semi-structured interviews, 10 of which were conducted with education professionals and 8 with law enforcement officers. Drawing four main themes from the interview sample,…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived leadership experiences of Black women principals in Title I schools in North Carolina. The theories guiding this study are Black feminist thought and Intersectionality which amplify and center the voices of Black women. The central research question for this study was "What…

The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act requires that students experiencing homelessness are provided with a free, appropriate public education and requires states and districts to address the barriers and challenges they may experience (42 U.S.C. §11431 et seq.). Implementation occurs largely at the state and local levels by…

Existing literature about special education professionals outlines an inherent challenge, especially in professional leadership and development. The problem was that school leadership and administrators might lack the necessary preparation and training to support special education teachers. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore…

In 2019, I published my dissertation research focusing on the extent Title IX agents in colleges and universities experienced vicarious trauma because these professionals work with individuals who may have experienced trauma. People in the helping professions understand the cost to caring, and professionals who hear clients' (or students') stories…

Using an implementation science framework, this study examines the impact of a multicomponent professional development (PD) approach implemented by internal peer coaches on early intervention providers' use of Family Guided Routines-Based Intervention. The experimental study used a single-case multiple baseline design across participants,…

Children in foster care are a vulnerable population in the United States K-12 education system. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative multiple-case study was to understand the perceptions of high school teachers, school social workers, and child welfare case managers regarding foster care and school collaboration protocols and supports put…

Title 1 principals face many day-to-day challenges due to the complexity and demands of their jobs. Research has found (Levin et al., 2019) that principals valued professional development (PD) more if it allowed them to address their school's specific needs and circumstances and increase their leadership capacity. This research aims to explore the…

Every student should have access to excellent, well-prepared, and well-supported educators who reflect the diversity of our nation. Research repeatedly indicates that teachers are the most important in-school factor for student success. Research also highlights the critical role of school leaders in retaining and supporting teachers to maximize…

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) advocates for the full participation of all children and youth with disabilities and/or identified as gifted and talented in educational programming that promotes positive academic, social emotional, and adaptive/independent living outcomes and sets the stage for lifelong success. This position statement…

Principals play a critical role in creating inclusive schools for students with disabilities, but few studies focus on how principals foster meaningful engagement for parents of children with disabilities, especially within Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings where important education decisions are made. Research focused on principal…

Physical and mechanical restraints and seclusion are currently used as emergency procedures in public schools across the United States. Students who exhibit dangerous, aggressive, or self-injurious behaviors are more likely to be restrained or secluded in school. Since many students with autism spectrum disorder exhibit one or more of these…

This qualitative study explores how teachers implement literacy pedagogies that affirm and engage students despite facing restrictive literacy mandates. We interviewed a focus group of four veteran Revolutionary Loving kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers from three Title 1 schools in the southeastern United States. Additionally, the study…

Effective collaboration among team members is a fundamental responsibility for all Early Intervention (EI) professionals. EI can be described as a particular type of service and support for infants and toddlers with delays/disabilities under three and their families provided through Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.…