Findings From a Survey of Special Education Directors' Attitudes Toward Access to General Education

• In Event: Special Education Research SIG: Accessibility and Accommodations

Abstract

Although extant research shows the positive impact that inclusive environments have on academic and postschool outcomes for students with intellectual disability, this population of students continues to experience wide variability in access to general education environments. For example, in New York State, the variation of placement of students with intellectual disability in inclusive environments ranges from 0% to 90%, with a statewide average of 5.6% In order to explore factors impacting this variability, the researchers conducted a survey of how district special education directors in NYS interpret and implement federal and state education policies that govern the educational environments for students with intellectual disability.

Authors

• Julia M. White, Syracuse University

• Meghan Cosier, Trinity Washington University

• George Theoharis, Syracuse University

• Qiu Wang, Syracuse University