This qualitative study explores K-12 classroom teachers' perceptions and experiences in meeting the needs of language learners, specifically English language learners (ELLs) and dual-language learners (DLLs). Addressing two main research questions, it investigated how teachers' preservice learning and development prepared them for instructing…

Schools currently face a great deal of accountability to ensure students with disabilities are meeting rigorous achievement standards and develop the skills needed to be independent and successful upon graduation. Despite this expectation a large achievement gap between students with disabilities and their peers persists. To address these gaps,…

Current research regarding teacher and administrator perceptions of cultural awareness and whether educators feel prepared to meet the needs of students from diverse cultural backgrounds needs to be expanded. The purpose of this study was to determine if a difference existed in cultural perceptions and the ability to meet the needs of culturally…

Across the nation, nearly all teachers can expect to have EL students in their classrooms. The challenges of teaching ELs students are particularly acute in the nation's secondary schools. There is evidence to suggest that the lack of preparation to teach ELs is generally weak, but even more so for secondary teachers. We analyze data from a survey…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to uncover and understand secondary general school educators' experiences and perspectives in readiness in meeting the needs of high functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) learners within the inclusive teaching environment. The research question served as the foundational premise of the…

Secondary teacher preparation in reading in the U.S. has received minimal attention from the research community despite the almost universal implementation of the Common Core State Standards. In response, numerous publications have demanded that secondary teachers be fully prepared to support the needs of struggling readers, especially ELA…

The research centered on secondary mathematics teachers' beliefs, attitudes, knowledge base, and practices in meeting the academic and language needs of English language learners. Using socio-cultural theory and social practice theory to frame the study, the research design employed a mixed methods approach incorporating self-reported surveys,…

The current prevalence rates for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coupled with the mandate to provide services to students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms warrants the need to examine the dynamics of inclusion for students with ASD. Focus groups were conducted with special and general educators at the elementary, middle, and high school…

The current status of classroom inclusion activities among agriculture teachers in comprehensive secondary agricultural education programs in Ohio is reported. The researchers describe secondary agriculture teachers' needs related to teaching learners with special needs in inclusion classes, given legislative mandates. Specifically, the…

A practicum project was developed and implemented to encourage teachers' use of inclusion teaching. The objectives of the practicum were to increase targeted teachers' knowledge and understanding of inclusion programs by 20 percent, increase their knowledge of co-teaching 20 percent, and demonstrate their knowledge of adapting the curriculum for…