Online Schooling’s Renewal: Perspectives of Charter School Experiences From Students With Disabilities and Their Families

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 11:40 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Rethinking Charter Schooling: Online Learning, Lottery Admissions, and Equity in Education (Table 3)

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the experiences of students with disabilities (SWD) and their parents in online charter public schools. Virtual charters offer flexibility in time and space, providing families more control over the learning environment. This study investigated why SWD families choose online education and how these environments create inclusive schools when compared to traditional schools. Grounded in Cavanaugh et al.’s (2013) theoretical framework for online learning for SWD and the five dimensions. The findings contribute to the literature on inclusive education and equitable access, offering ways to determine the effectiveness of online education for SWD.

Authors

• Anna Johnson, California Virtual Academy

• Theresa A. Meyerott, California State University - Los Angeles