Many people are unaware of the challenges associated with a special needs child being part of the family unit. Special-needs children require additional support and resources to meet their unique needs, which can have significant implications for the entire family. Current research through self-reported study (N = 51) findings under statistical…

The purpose of this narrative inquiry is to examine factors that influence military parents when they choose between on-base public schools and off-base public schools during a relocation for their child with special needs. According to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA, 2015) there are approximately 650,000 military dependent…

The purpose of this capstone was to investigate how the experiences and attitudes of educators at international schools and how they impact their perceptions of inclusive education. In this mixed methods study, 52 elementary teachers at an international school in China were surveyed on their demographics, attitudes, and experiences with inclusion…

The state of Delaware has a Dual Language Immersion program serving students from different backgrounds and varying socioeconomic statuses with a wide range of diverse needs. The state has ever-increasing difficulty finding qualified teachers who also speak the target language of the program, in this case, Spanish. As a result, districts within…

Background: Schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based framework for implementing a continuum of behavior support practices in schools to improve student outcomes. Research suggests that students with extensive support needs (ESN) may not have access to the complete continuum of behavioral supports within…

The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental correlational study is to test the relationship between children having special needs and the rate of homeschooling and to test the relationship between parental dissatisfaction with the learning environments in public or private schools and the choice to homeschool. The theoretical framework in…

Students with special education needs (SEN) are more vulnerable to school bullying, which is a prominent concern in Macau. Parents play a significant role in addressing and intervening in the bullying events. This study was an exploration of the experiences and perceptions of parents in Macau regarding their children with SEN being targeted for…

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools and families collaborate to determine educational decisions for children with special needs. However, successful collaboration occurs when special education practitioners and families build strong partnerships. This study employed a mixed-methods action research design to…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship of teacher preparedness and training on the self-efficacy of novice teachers in inclusive education. The study was framed through the lens of Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory in which Bandura asserted that self-efficacy belief determines what one feels and how one thinks,…

Exclusionary discipline is a practice that is used nationwide. Historically, students within Special Education receive exclusionary discipline at a higher rate than their nondisabled peers even though they have the legal protections of a Manifestation Determination meeting. IEP stakeholders, including school psychologists, administrators and…

The five chapters of this dissertation are anchored around the theme of supporting teachers in making inclusive instructional decisions in science to facilitate active student participation and engagement in science learning for students with complex support needs (CSN). Chapter 1 describes the benefits of inclusive education for students with…

The United States public education system has a disconnect between teachers' experiences and ever-growing student heterogeneity -- heterogeneity in race, ethnicity, language, cultural background, and disability. Disability is now understood as an identity that contributes to the intersectionality of how students experience school. While the number…

This qualitative multiple case study aimed to understand how special education paraprofessionals, who work with students with low-incidence disabilities, experience stress and resilience through a compassion fatigue conceptual lens. I explored paraprofessional perspectives on stress factors relevant to workload and student challenges, along with…

Paraprofessionals are a primary resource in special education. National data show that the number of individuals serving in the paraprofessional role continues to increase across the United States, alongside the complexity of the role itself. Educational entities have provided guidance on the competencies paraprofessionals should obtain prior to…

Students with behavioral challenges and mental health concerns have unique academic, behavioral, and emotional needs. Due to high student to teacher ratio and lack of mental health and behavioral resources, some students may not have their needs met in a public school general education setting. An option that can be a better solution for these…