State governments have the purview to interpret federal special education policies as they see fit. Interpretations of these policies to music education rarely are addressed within state special education policy. The authors selected four states to analyze and compare state special education policies; Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia.…

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the educational experiences of diverse student populations throughout the country and among Virginia public schools. English Learners (ELs) had a unique set of needs and services prior to the pandemic, and potentially were more vulnerable to pandemic-related disruptions in typical school operations than other student…

This study addresses the knowledge gap on instructional practices that enable K-12 students with disabilities (SWD) to access STEM environments and develop 21st-century skills. A related purpose is to examine teachers' planning for inclusion in elementary, middle, and high schools. STEM curriculum integrates two or more of the disciplines for…

COVID-related school closures affected all students. But for students who needed in-person schooling most--students with disabilities, English learners, and students living in poverty--the impact was disproportionate and devastating. One research calls it "the largest increase in educational inequity in a generation." "Unfinished…

In light of COVID-19, school divisions across the country closed their doors and shifted to remote instruction. In Virginia, little guidance was provided to assist educators and teacher educators with making this transition, particularly for students with individualized education programs (IEPs). In May of 2020, researchers surveyed Virginia…